We welcome physicians in the community to precept first year medical students. Students will be assigned to work with you in your office for one half-day (3 hours) a week where they can practice their history and physical exam skills. There are generally 9-10 sessions per year from January to April.
Our students are covered for malpractice insurance and are HIPAA trained.
Students are trained in history taking, so they will know how to approach a patient when they come to your office. They also will have received content in ethics, humanism, and professionalism when they start the preceptorship. They will participate in a handwashing and vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure) workshop. Of note, they will begin the Organ System Courses in January. Their experience in your office will be an important part of their professional development.
Please let us know if you would like to join us in teaching our medical students by e-mailing Keisha Ferguson, Preceptor Coordinator, at henderkc@njms.rutgers.edu or phone, 973-972-4823.
Brief Overview of the Curriculum:
The curriculum will prepare students from diverse backgrounds to be collaborative physicians, educators and researchers with a focus on the health of underserved and vulnerable populations.
The New Jersey Medical School Curriculum for the medical degree program focuses on the following 4 major themes: 1) Organ system based curriculum, 2) Early integrated practice of clinical skills, 3) Service learning, and 4) Individual professional identity development with a focus on the healthcare team.
Highlights include:
- Early exposure to patient care, clinical skills, and hands on simulation starting Week One of the curriculum
- Strong emphasis on service learning and a focus on the health of the underserved and vulnerable population through community partnerships
- Dedicated "integration and assessment" weeks throughout Phase One courses to help enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills through use of clinical case-based discussions
- Protected half days every week in Phase One for Individualized Learning and Student Wellness
- Ample time for electives that allow each student to explore career choices early
- Preparation for transition to residency that includes building of specialty specific skills that are tailored to fit the individual student's career pathway
Threads that are addressed across all 4 years include:
- Culturally Competent Care
- Patient Safety and Quality of Care
- Health Across the Stages of Life
- Prevention: From Individual to Populations
- Leadership and Health Care Systems
Students are taught the following organ systems during the preceptorship program: Musculoskeletal, Cardiovascular, and Pulmonary System. The rest of the systems will be taught during the second year.
