She distributed the syllabus and brought to members attention the pages that describe goals and objectives, recommended readings, components of the final grade and student evaluation method. She explained that students receive a letter from the clerkship director at least one month prior to their scheduled Family Medicine rotation, giving them an opportunity to choose their preceptor either inside or outside the metro Atlanta area . If students do not choose their preceptor, one is selected for them. Third year students are allowed to defer this clerkship until the fourth year, however, Dr. Williams has concerns that this may send a message to students that this clerkship, as well as ambulatory care as a whole, may not carry the same weight of the other clerkships. This year, for the first time, students were asked to roll play as patients by interviewing each other and addressing issues such as drugs and alcohol, behavior modification, and lifestyle changes.
Interviews take place at the beginning and end of the clerkship.
Students are expected to do a follow- up with their patient midway through the clerkship as well. Dr. Erica Frank has incorporated a set of prevention issues for internal medicine during third year orientation to aid in this process. Students see at least 60-80 patients during this clerkship and are responsible for maintaining a patient logbook. They are also required to maintain a procedure log and are given a list of procedures that they are encouraged to accomplish. The preceptor, as well as the clerkship director, reviews both logs to ensure that students see a variety of patients and that patient education and intervention are included.