Community-based preceptors provide a large portion of the primary care education for medical students in the United States. The Association of American Medical Colleges has called for a 30% increase in medical school enrollment by 2015 to meet the growing physician shortage in the United States. Undoubtedly, this places more demands on physicians who teach and increases the need for a quality pool of trained preceptors.1
It can be a challenge to recruit, train, and retain community preceptors. And it’s time-consuming to provide training, answer questions, maintain a connection, and ensure that preceptors are recognized for the role they play in educating the next generation of physicians.
STFM has developed a resource for family medicine departments and residency programs to use to provide education and support to their valuable preceptors 24/7, as well as to recruit clinicians to join their preceptor pools. TeachingPhysician.org streamlines training, answers questions, and communicates regularly with preceptors on a department’s or program’s behalf. Community preceptors can log in to access tools and resources to help them teach the next generation of physicians to provide high-quality, patient-centered care.
Streamlined Faculty Development
While support and training are critically important to preceptor satisfaction, faculty development happens too infrequently. TeachingPhysician.org provides continuous training and allows preceptors to delve into topics they’re interested in or get quick answers on the spot. “The site provides preceptors just-in-time information. Because this resource is always available, preceptors can use its tips and ideas to improve their teachable moments with students cycling through their offices,” said Gretchen Dickinson, MD, STFM Membership Committee Member.
This information-rich Web site delivers videos, tips, answers to frequently asked questions, and links to in-depth information on topics such as:
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Preparing a practice team for a student or resident
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Integrating a student into office routines
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Setting expectations
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Teaching strategies
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Giving feedback
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Evaluating learners
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Billing issues
Relationship Building
TeachingPhysician.org keeps medical schools and residency programs connected to their community preceptors. Each month, the system sends an e-mail to preceptors with a link to resources for the “Precepting Topic of the Month.” Preceptors can earn continuing medical education credits for visiting the site and reviewing the content.
How it Works
TeachingPhysician.org offers medical schools and residency programs subscription plans to cover all their preceptors. Subscription fees are determined by the number of preceptors. Schools/programs with up to 20 preceptors can purchase a yearly subscription for $800. Those with more than 20 preceptors purchase an unlimited subscription at $1,900.
Once a department or program signs up, the Web site sends out a customized e-mail notifying all preceptors that their sponsoring institution has purchased a subscription for them to this content-rich resource. The e-mail also provides log-in information and prompts preceptors to create passwords.
“TeachingPhysician.org is a win-win for the preceptor and his or her sponsoring department or program,” said Sally Weaver, PhD, chair of the STFM Membership Committee. “Preceptors are better prepared to provide instruction to students and residents. And the department or program establishes regular communication with their volunteer faculty, who are critical to its success.”
For details, visit http://TeachingPhysician.org or contact Mary Theobald at mltheobald{at}stfm.org.
- © 2012 Annals of Family Medicine, Inc.
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