The specialists also have an opportunity to broaden their clinical research. Further, they become attuned to the need for communicating with referring physicians after a consultation. Continuing education programs for nonphysician clinicians and consumers have also flourished, in part because of the relationships developed. University physicians now realize the value of outreach educational experiences for physicians in training. These experiences illustrate the emphasis on primary care training at the University of Minnesota Medical School.
Rotations are available at sites beyond the university's walls for medical students and residents.
The very successful RPAP selects more than 40 third-year medical students to spend 9 months with preceptors in greater Minnesota clinics. Physicians from UMHS participate in RPAP through on-site visits with students and their preceptors. Numerous other programs now exist to provide medical students at various levels of training an opportunity to work with preceptors in practice settings. Supervisory residents in family practice, internal medicine, and pediatrics can take 1-month rotations at several clinics throughout the state, often in conjunction with medical outreach services. The 1-month internal medicine rotation, which has been offered at Interstate Medical Center in Red Wing for the past several years, is now oversubscribed because the participants find it so valuable.