Family medicine community preceptors: different from other physician specialties?

Objective: Few studies address the satisfaction of community preceptors in different specializations. This study compares preceptor satisfaction of family physicians with other physician specialties.

Methods: All 1,221 physician preceptors in a statewide system received surveys by mail.

Results: Almost 67% returned questionnaires. The group consisted of 46% family physicians, 22% internists, 20% pediatricians, and 12% physicians in other specialties. The majority reported high levels of satisfaction with precepting (94.4%), incentives (53.3%), and professional life (91.6%). Significantly more family physicians and pediatricians than physicians in other specialties felt that having students had a more negative influence on patient flow (54.4% and 53.5%), and family physicians were more likely to indicate that precepting students increased their working hours. Family physicians more often reported that helping recruit for their specialty was an important factor in their decision to teach (32.8%). Family physicians placed more importance on receiving continuing medical education credit for teaching and less value on academic appointments, and they were also less satisfied with their incomes.

Conclusions: Family medicine community physician preceptors have some differing needs and motivations than other physician specialties. With the increased demand for preceptors, it is important to tailor support to meet individual preceptor needs.