Precepting Longitudinal Integrated Clerkships Is a Win-Win
As Chief Clinical Officer of Intermountain Health, I am continually inspired by our mission: helping people live their healthiest lives possible. A crucial component of achieving this mission is investing in the next generation of physicians.
One of the best ways our physicians can impact the future is by becoming preceptors for Longitudinal Integrated Clerkships (LICs) at the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah. Preceptorship aligns with our mission and offers numerous benefits to physicians, students, and patients.
Benefits for Preceptors and Students
LICs offer a unique approach to medical education that benefits both students and preceptors. Unlike traditional clerkships that involve short, intense rotations, LICs allow students to follow patients over an extended period. This continuity provides students with a comprehensive understanding of patient care, from diagnosis to treatment and follow-up.
For preceptors, this model means less disruption to your regular practice environment. You can integrate teaching into your daily routine without the additional burden that comes with traditional teaching roles.
For example, preceptors can choose to teach in half or full days. This approach not only enhances the educational experience for students but also improves patient care through consistent and longitudinal engagement.
Benefits of Connecting and Engaging with Future Physicians
Although many physicians are not engaged in full-time academic teaching, they still have a desire to mentor and inspire the next generation of doctors. Being an LIC preceptor offers a perfect balance, allowing you to remain clinically active while incorporating a teaching component into your work. This variety adds interest and engagement to your daily practice, providing a renewed sense of purpose and connection.
As a preceptor, you also receive adjunct faculty appointments in the new Division of Education at the medical school. This appointment includes access to the health sciences library, online university resources, university and community discounts, and teaching and travel awards.
LICs also provide an exceptional opportunity for students to experience what it is truly like to be a physician in an integrated care system. By following patients over time, students gain a deeper understanding of patient management, the importance of continuity of care, and the collaborative nature of our health care system.
Reinforcing Community and Professional Growth
Becoming an LIC preceptor allows you to give back to the community by preparing students for the realities of practicing medicine. It’s an opportunity to impart wisdom, share experiences, and instill values that will shape their careers.
Interacting with students can be a rejuvenating experience. Many of our physicians who volunteer as preceptors have expressed how this role has reinvigorated their passion for medicine and alleviated feelings of burnout. Fresh perspectives and inquisitive minds can challenge us to think differently and improve our practices, ultimately benefiting our patients.
Better Together
Being an LIC preceptor is a rewarding opportunity that enhances physician engagement and improves education and patient care. I encourage physicians to consider preceptorship. It benefits the students and organization while enriching your own professional journey.
Together, we can shape the future of health care and continue helping people live their healthiest lives possible.
For more information on becoming an LIC preceptor, please contact Brian Good, MD, or Robert Brickley, MD, or complete the interest survey and a member of the LIC coordinating team will reach out.
