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GIMSPP

Four Medical Schools Sponsor Preceptorships

Internal Medicine departments at four Texas medical schools have provided sponsorships so that more of their students can be matched for preceptorships through the GIMSPP.

Alejandro C. Arroliga, MD, FACP, Chair of Internal Medicine at the Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, has again provided a sponsorship of $2,100 so two additional students from his school can participate in GIMSPP rotations next summer.

Cynthia Jumper, MD, MPH, FACP, Chair of Internal Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, has given $2,000 so that more students from the Lubbock school can benefit from preceptorships.

Randall J. Urban, MD, FACP, Chair of IM at University of Texas Medical Branch, and Marc Shabot, MD, FACP, UTMB Alumni Association, have funded the James C. Guckian, MD internist-in-training sponsorship with $1,300 so a student from their school can participate in a rural preceptorship.

L. David Hillis, MD, FACP, Chair of IM at UT Health Science Center at San Antonio Department of Medicine, has again provided funding of $2,000 in order for two additional students to be matched with a GIMSPP preceptor.

These vital sponsorships demonstrate the importance the chairs place on academic Internal Medicine departments taking the lead in supporting students’ introduction to this exciting field of medicine.

Eugene W. Stokes, MD, FACP and Karen Szauter, MD, FACP, Co-Chairs of the Medical Students Committee, Govs. Andrew K. Diehl and Clark R. Gregg and the GIMSPP staff thank Dr. Arroliga, Dr. Jumper, Dr. Urban, Dr. Shabot and Dr. Hillis, the A&M University System, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, University of Texas Medical Branch and UT Health Science Center at San Antonio for the continued support of this crucial program.

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GIMSPP

Presentation of GIMSPP Decade of Service Award to Preceptors

The distinctive General Internal Medicine Statewide Preceptorship Program (GIMSPP) Decade of Service award will be presented to five highly dedicated and devoted volunteer preceptors at the Texas Chapter of the ACP annual meeting during the Awards Luncheon on Saturday, Nov. 14. These physicians joined the program in 2000 and since that time have taught and mentored young medical students for at least seven of those years.

Syed V. Ahmed, MD Katy, Texas 11 students “Doing the preceptorship with Dr. Ahmed was by far the best experience I’ve had in the medical profession. He is an excellent teacher and brilliant with his work.”

Suresh J. Antony, MD, FACP El Paso, Texas 10 students “Not only is he a great teacher but also an understanding, compassionate man. For Dr. Antony medicine is an art which requires creativity, logic and heart. If so, then I only hope that I can become as great an artist as he.”

Lisa A. Davis, MD San Antonio, Texas 15 students “Her bedside manner and interactions with patients are fantastic, and she is so genuine, enthusiastic and involved with each of her patients which, more than anything else, is what I hope to take with me into my future in medicine.”

Daniel Y. Kim, MD, FHM Webster, Texas 11 students “I think more physicians should emulate his enthusiasm for volunteering and teaching. He is a fine and outstanding physician and someone I greatly admire.”

William A. Robinson, Jr, MD Austin, Texas 11 students “Dr. Robinson is a fabulous preceptor, and I would recommend that anyone who has the opportunity to spend a summer with him should. Definitely my best experience as a medical student to date.”

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GIMSPP

Baylor Health Care System Gives $6,000 for GIMSPP

The General Internal Medicine Statewide Preceptorship Program has received a $6,000 sponsorship from Baylor Health Care System in Dallas. The funding will allow an additional six students to be matched for rotations in summer 2010.

Special thanks go to Mark Armstrong, MD, FACP, former ACP Governor of the Northern Region, for requesting financial support for the program.

Twenty-two Dallas-area preceptors are affiliated with Baylor Health Care System.

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previous features

GIMSPP

UTHSCSA Gives $2,000 for GIMSPP

L. David Hillis, MD, FACP, Chair of University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio’s Department of Internal Medicine, has again provided the GIMSPP with a sponsorship of $2,000. The additional funding allowed two more students from his school to participate in four-week rotations this summer.

Interest among UTHSCSA students remained high, with 39 students applying for preceptorships.

Eugene W. Stokes, MD, FACP and Karen Szauter, MD, FACP, Co-Chairs of the Medical Students Committee, Govs. Diehl and Gregg and the GIMSPP staff thank Dr. Hillis and University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio for the sponsorship.

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GIMSPP

Primary Care Preceptorship Program Retains State Funding

The Preceptorship Program, that encompasses the General Internal Medicine Statewide Preceptorship Program, the Texas Statewide Family Medicine Preceptorship Program and the Texas Statewide Pediatric Preceptorship Program, was able to maintain its current level of funding from the 81st Legislative Session. With the decreased state revenue and increased demand in expenses, it was a triumph to remain in the state budget without suffering budget cuts.

Success could not have occurred without the time and energy expended on behalf of the program by many Texas Chapter of the ACP members. Drs. Robert E. Jackson, FACP, Houston, Rene M. Rodriguez, FACP, Corpus Christi, and Rajat Maheshwari traveled to meet with Rep. Warren Chisum and Sen. Carlos Uresti in September. Dr. Scott W. Yates, FACP, Plano, President of the Texas Chapter, provided testimony before the House Article III – Education Subcommittee regarding the effectiveness of the preceptorship program. Dr. Felicia L. Austin-Tolliver, FACP, Katy, President of Texas Chapter Services, attended TMA’s First Tuesday and talked with lawmakers on behalf of the program. Also advocating on behalf of the GIMSPP and other programs on First Tuesdays were Drs. Eugene W. Stokes, FACP, San Angelo, Co-chair of the Medical Students Committee, Sue S. Bornstein, FACP, Dallas, consultant for the Texas Medical Home Initiative, and preceptors Drs. Keith Robinson, Abilene, Peggy Russell, Austin, Robert D. Thompson, FACP, Dallas, E. Linda Villarreal, Edinburg, John Flores, Little Elm, and Danette Elliott-Mullens, New Braunfels.

Countless members responded to the legislative alerts through Voter Voice and contacted their senators and representatives to encourage future funding. A big thank you to everyone who took the time to ensure that statewide preceptorships remain an opportunity for Texas medical students to experience clinical primary care in a community-based environment early in their training.

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GIMSPP

Program Meets Summer Match Goals

With sponsorships from UTHSCSA, TAMUHSC and TTUHSC in addition to state funding, the GIMSPP was able to meet and exceed the goal set by the Medical Students Committee and match 125 students for summer preceptorships. Two hundred twelve applications were received, and sadly, fifteen students who maintained their applications had to be turned away because of lack of funds.

Cooperation among the three primary care preceptorship programs remained strong as staff worked to meet placement goals of their programs and to ensure each student interested in a preceptorship was matched.

Some students were not able to secure rotations in their first choice of location. The need for preceptors is especially great in Houston and San Antonio.

If your practice is at least 50 percent general internal medicine and you enjoy teaching eager young people, call GIMSPP toll free at (866) 244-6777 to apply for 2010.

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GIMSPP

Preceptor tips

Preceptor Tips: When the Learner Arrives

Students will arrive shortly at many preceptors' practices. Following are a few tips for establishing goals early in the rotation. Students are sometimes shy or reluctant to express what they hope to gain from the preceptorship. Sharing expectations on the first day helps set the tone for the learning experience.

Learning About Each Other
The first meeting with a student should address mutual expectations. You should allow approximately 30 minutes on the first day to greet the learner and share information.

Previous Experience
GIMSPP students are usually first-years. They do not have a lot of clinical experience. Your preceptor confirmation packet contains a Clinical Skills Inventory from your student's application that provides information about his or her exposure to the physical exam and procedures.

Expectations
This is also a good time to learn the student's own goals for the experience. One strategy for managing expectations is developing a learner contract. The contract outlines the learner's and your expectations for the experience and serves as a guide for your final evaluation of the student. After reviewing the learner's goals, you can modify the contract based on your judgment and experience. Specific strategies to address the content in the contract can be included. You and the student then review and sign the contract.

Responsibilities
Be as explicit as possible about the entire spectrum of responsibilities. Consider such mundane but important aspects as how to dress, where to park, through what doorway to enter the building, and where to store personal possessions, as well as expectations about writing or dictating notes and following up with patients.

Scheduling
Review the flow of patients through the office and how teaching will occur. For example, beginning students might be asked simply to observe initially, then be allowed to see selected patients on their own, reporting back after a specified time when you and the learner together can see each patient again.

Teaching
You may wish to tell the learner you will "teach on the fly," primarily by asking questions, role-modeling, and directing the learner to the literature to answer important content questions. Whatever approach you choose, briefly describe what will occur and what the student must do to make the process work.

Evaluation and Feedback
The learner needs to know about evaluation and feedback, including when and how it will occur, and to have a clear idea of what criteria will be used for evaluation. Use this time to reassure the learner that you will offer informal feedback frequently during the experience.

Office Flow
You or your office manager should take a few minutes to provide an orientation to the office. Introduce the learner to all members of the office staff and provide an explanation of their duties and responsibilities.

Examination Rooms
Review the contents of a typical examination room, including the location of gloves, gowns, stool cards, and examination instruments. If you expect the learner to fill out laboratory or radiology request forms, show the student where they are located and how to fill them out.

Workspace and Notes
Define, if you can, the learner's workspace, including where he or she can sit, place personal belongings, and perform charting. Review your expectations about charting or dictation, and telephone and computer use. Show the student how to access information, including textbooks, journals, and online materials.

Informing Patients
When the learner arrives, post notices around the reception area and at the front desk telling patients about the learner's participation. Ask the reception staff to tell patients that you are teaching a student.

For more information on getting ready to teach, see chapter three of Teaching in Your Office, a Guide to Instructing Medical Students and Residents, published by The American College of Physicians.

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