Abstract
This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Objective: As the first new medical school chartered in the 21 st century, FSUCOM adopted a unique approach to medical education. Beyond the expected basic science courses, first year students participate in a year-long Doctoring and Clinical Skills Course. The first year culminates in a three week Summer Clinical Practicum (SCP) emphasizing mission centric populations. We designed a survey to assess medical student and clinical preceptor impressions of the SCP for purposes of quality improvement. Methods: Students in their second, third, and fourth years and their preceptors were included in a cross sectional descriptive study. All participants responded to an electronic web based survey developed and administered in Summer 2016. The overall student response rate was 32%, while 53% of preceptors participated. Results: Survey results indicated that the SCP first year capstone experience is highly valued by students and preceptors alike. We found a high concordance of perceptions between student cohorts spanning three years and faculty preceptor respondents. For purposes of programmatic planning and quality improvement there was strong support for maintaining the current length for the SCP at three weeks. Additionally, survey findings appear to support ongoing perceived benefit from the early clinical exposure summer experience, with students agreeing that the SCP helped focus their learning as M-2s, and influenced their readiness for subsequent clinical clerkships. Conclusion: Our study supports the growing body of knowledge that early clinical experience for matriculating medical students is not only feasible, but desirable, and has lasting effects throughout their undergraduate medical education.
Highlights
The conceptual framework supporting early clinical exposures for medical students is not new
Survey results indicated that the Summer Clinical Practicum (SCP) first year capstone experience is highly valued by students and preceptors alike
The Council on Medical Education and Hospitals report at the 1921 American Medical Association annual meeting called for revisions of medical school curriculum, including earlier clinical activity. (Eaglen) Florida State University College of Medicine (FSUCOM) took these and similar subsequent recommendations under serious consideration as the initial curriculum was developed
Summary
The conceptual framework supporting early clinical exposures for medical students is not new. Beyond the expected basic science courses, the students participate in a year-long Doctoring and Clinical Skills Course This introduction to patient care skills includes didactic and simulated patient sessions focusing on interviewing and physical examination skills, and office preceptor experience with community physicians trained in teaching them the skills, knowledge, and attitudes required for a robust doctor-patient relationship. To the greatest extent possible, students are assigned to a clinical faculty member associated with one of the regional campuses whose practice includes medically underserved populations or is located in a health professions shortage area. This intensive capstone session presents an experiential learning opportunity reflecting all of the skills acquired during Doctoring. From the outset in 2004-2005, the SCP has been highly rated by students
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