Precepting medical students can be the most challenging, yet rewarding, form of teaching in family medicine. This teaching encounter was probably frustrating for both the teacher and the student. One way to avoid these uncomfortable encounters is to be proactive and develop a learner contract with a student. The learner contract is a personal, negotiated agreement between the teacher and the learner that outlines expectations, roles, and responsibilities for the month s experiences. It can make precepting better for the teacher and the student.
Medical students are adult learners who differ in their individual needs, interests, and maturity.
Adult learners want to know what they will be learning, what is expected of them, and how they will be evaluated. They learn best when they are motivated and ready to learn, involved in setting goals and deciding on relevant content, and have participated in decisions affecting their learning. A learner contract can help the preceptor and the learner understand and agree on mutually negotiated expectations, roles, and responsibilities. It is an agreement as to what knowledge, skills, and attitudes they will address in their time together and how they will do so. The learner contract will help the preceptor choose certain patients for the student to see and to precept more efficiently and effectively.