Primary Care

Course Description

This clerkship is designed to assist the students in developing a solid foundation of skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed to provide care for patients in clinic settings. During this eight-week rotation, you will have the opportunity to experience the variety of patient encounters found in primary care. These experiences will vary between students and will encompass every age group from pediatrics to geriatrics.

Clinic Descriptions

Each student works with community-based family physicians, general internists or pediatricians. These physicians volunteer their time to provide students exposure to primary care. Students are expected to take advantage of numerous learning opportunities available during the rotation. Student-patient encounters frequently afford independent learning opportunities for the student to explore in depth when not in clinic. Students will also discuss selected topics in depth in small group Problem Based Learning sessions (PBL).

In addition to learning from patient experiences encountered during the clinical sessions, students are encouraged to take time to note the importance of the physician-patient relationship, to assess the health problems and resources of the community in which they practice, and to participate in the coordination of health care.

Generally, students are scheduled to work in family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics (Monday – Thursday). Didactics will take place on Fridays in Appleton. Most clinics serve a broad spectrum of patient needs. Some clinicians may have areas of particular interest that serve a more specialized group of patients. Be sure to take advantage of both of these opportunities. The level of student independence may vary from clinic to clinic.

Your clinical experience should be a mix of shadowing, observing clinical encounters, as well as, independent activities. Your attending will have you shadow at the beginning of the rotation to determine your level of clinical experience. Your level of independence should increase as the attending becomes more familiar with your strengths and weaknesses.

Clerkship Goals

Upon completion of the Primary Care Clerkship, all students should possess the knowledge, attitudes and skills to:

  1. Describe the nature and scope of primary care practice and how it interacts with other health professions.
  2. Assess and manage common acute and chronic ambulatory medical problems.
  3. Determine the health risks of patients and populations and make recommendations for screening and health promotion.
  4. Identify community resources available to enhance patient care as well as barriers to optimal care.
  5. Establish effective relationships with patients and families using patient-centered communication skills.
  6. Practice life-long learning skills, including the application of scientific evidence in clinical care.