Core learning experiences take place in ambulatory clinic settings. Students work with experienced clinicians and senior residents, spending time in University teaching practices and in community-based practices. Students also may spend time seeing patients in emergency room, hospital and nursing home settings and taking call with residents and practicing physicians. A high volume of patients of all ages with a wide range of problems is encountered.
Many patients have undifferentiated problems.
Family and Community Medicine Electives Fourth-year students are encouraged to spend elective time in Family and Community Medicine which provides students with experience in outpatient primary care. Each student is assigned to senior family practice residents, fellows, and attendings in their practices in Columbia or at one of the rural practices in the surrounding area. Preceptorship with a family physician in private practice, laboratory and clinical research, or a combination of these also may be arranged. A Community Health Preceptorship Four-week assignment to a family physician in private practice. Medical Instruction A residency program in family medicine is offered to qualified physicians.