Clinical scholarship among preceptors supervising longitudinal integrated medical clerkships in regional and rural communities of practice.
Objective: All senior medical students at the University of Wollongong undertake a longitudinal integrated community-based clerkship, supervised by experienced general practitioners in a regional or rural community. This study investigates the influence of the longitudinal integrated clerkship model of medical education on scholarship among preceptors in these practice communities.
Methods: General practitioner preceptors were interviewed after the first student cohort had completed their 38-week placements. Analysis of transcripts identified themes supporting clinical scholarship among preceptors. The entire transcript for each preceptor was analysed, permitting a quantitative determination of each theme. Quotations supporting the themes were selected. Methods: The setting was the primary health care practices supervising the longitudinal integrated clerkship medical students. Methods: Twenty-six preceptors who supervised longitudinal integrated clerkship medical students in rural and regional New South Wales participated. None had previously been involved in this model of medical education. Methods: The study looked for evidence of clinical scholarship among preceptors supervising students in the longitudinal medical student clerkship.
Results: Thematic analysis of interview transcripts revealed evidence of clinical scholarship in regional/rural clinical medicine. The 'practice' was validated as a place where scholarship occurs, an 'academy of learning' and part of the university. About half of the preceptors believed the longitudinal integrated clerkship gave students a deeper link with the community. Two thirds of participants perceived an improved quality of care in their practice.
Conclusions: Longitudinal integrated clerkships in teaching communities of practice provide the opportunity for emergence of clinical scholarship among preceptors supporting the learning needs of medical students.