Journal of Regional Medical Campuses

Understanding the needs of rural preceptors from groups underrepresented in medicine

Erica Sutton

Morehouse School of Medicine

Angelita Howard

Morehouse School of Medicine

Ashaki Goodman

Morehouse School of Medicine

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24926/jrmc.v3i3.3281

Keywords: community preceptor, underrepresented in medicine, rural, motivation

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Abstract

Abstract

Introduction

Community preceptors are essential in providing sufficient training opportunities for health professional students.  Recently, focus has been given to the recruitment of community preceptors from groups underrepresented in medicine (UiM) for their contibutions in training a diverse and culturally competent workforce.  The overall goal of this study is to review data collected from UiM preceptors and potential preceptors for unique beliefs or values that reveal their motivation for teaching. We hypothesize that community preceptors from groups underrepresented in medicine hold beliefs reflective of high levels of altruism and service.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of interview data collected from UiM community preceptors for developing clinical education experiences.  We sought to uniquely understand the needs of these preceptors in order to develop our recruitment strategy.  Each participant agreed to a structured interview and gave or denied permission to have the interview recorded.  In the structured interview, community physicians were asked to answer questions about their motivation to precept medical and physician assistant students.  They were further asked about their desired compensation, reservations about teaching, and interest in participating in curricular development.

Results

We interviewed 12 community providers- 11 physicians and one advanced practice nurse. Participants were from a broad range of specialties: Obstetrics/Gynecology (3), Surgery (3), Psychiatry (3), Family Medicine (1), Pediatrics (1), Emergency Medicine (1).  Of the providers interviewed, 10 were from groups underrepresented in medicine.  All 10 of the UiM participants were physicians.  All participants completed the structured interview.  The answers provided in the interview were able to be grouped into themes reflecting a recurring set of beliefs and motivations.

Conclusions

UiM preceptors hold values reflective of altruism and a willingness to serve in the creation of the future workforce.  We have found UiM preceptors possess a strong desire for training as educators.  Further, UiM preceptors are incentivized by financial compensation and willing to commit their personal time to advising the medical school.