Training the Physicians of Tomorrow

ACOM’s third and fourth year clinical curriculum is delivered through a robust network of clinical core sites and preceptors. Students are required to participate in practical, real-world activities in a clinical setting as part of their training. Through one-to-one relationships with healthcare providers, students gain skills and knowledge which bridge the gap between theory and reality. Through their service, preceptors join a long tradition of teaching by example.

Students learn from the expertise of their peers as they care for patients and the dynamic relationships between preceptor and student provides long-lasting benefits. It offers an opportunity to teach and impact the clinical experience for future physicians. Preceptorship engages the larger educational community and contributes to the growing network of medical professionals. The future of healthcare is secured by influencing the practice of each student through these transformative relationships and training experiences.

Preceptor Development

Preceptor Promotion

Preceptor Resources

Osteopathic Research Resources

PRECEPTOR OVERVIEW

The primary role of preceptors is to assess student ability during clinical clerkships. Review ACOM’s assessment standards here.

Preceptor Expectations for the Student Experience and Clerkship Site:

  • Conduct student orientation at the start of each clerkship rotation.
  • Review and complete a Learning Agreement with each student.
  • Provide hands-on learning opportunities and increase student responsibilities throughout the clerkship rotation.
  • Use course objectives to guide student learning and assessment.
  • Provide regular and meaningful feedback to each student throughout the clerkship rotation.
  • Conduct a mid-rotation and end-of-clerkship evaluation for each student.
  • Communicate as appropriate with ACOM Clerkship Chairs and Core Site personnel.
  • Engage office staff and allied health professionals to encourage a team approach to teaching.
  • When possible, provide student access to internet, electronic medical records, and working space.

In order to serve as an ACOM preceptor, physicians must meet the following criteria to ensure teaching and clinical excellence:

  • Recommended for eligibility by an ACOM Medical Education Director or another ACOM employee
  • Hold professional positions in which at least 80% of their time is dedicated to clinical practice
  • Earned and maintain Board Certification in a specialty area
  • Received and maintain clinical licensure in the state of practice
  • Meet clinical faculty credentialing standards established through ACOM’s Divisions of Clinical Resources and Clinical Sciences

Benefits of Joining ACOM as a Credentialed Preceptor:

  • Receive an ACOM Clinical Faculty appointment, including a frameable certificate and appointment letter for display
  • Gain additional recognition for precepting and service to ACOM through promotion within the Clinical Faculty appointment track
  • Complementary online access the ACOM library resources
  • Continuing Medical Education (CME) for precepting students
  • Earn additional CME through live and computer-based faculty development
  • Stipend for service based upon terms of the Memorandum of Agreement
  • Renew and expand clinical expertise through active engagement in students learning
  • Enhance the patient experience by engaging students in the patient care process
  • Partner with ACOM students and faculty in clinical research
  • Collaborate with physician colleagues within the ACOM Preceptor Network

CURRICULAR RESOURCES

Assessing Student Ability
Third- & Fourth-Year Curriculum
Learn more

Become a Preceptor

To submit an interest form, please select a pin on the map to contact a representative from the respective training region.
Learn more

PRECEPTOR TESTIMONIALS

I love the passion and earnestness the students bring to learning about osteopathic medicine. It brings be joy to see them grasp a difficult subject or concept and the material “clicks”. Then, I am confident that the lessons taught to me are being passed on to the next generation of osteopathic physicians.

Panama City, FL Preceptor

Paying it forward. The best physicians I have worked with have always encouraged me to work with students and residents. Not only for their benefit but for the benefit for the future of US healthcare and the benefit to me as a physician in keeping me sharp and fresh.

Leesburg, FL Preceptor

Being a preceptor encourages me to learn more on a daily basis.

Anniston, AL Preceptor

It has been an honor to help train young people to become members of the top profession in the land. I smile every time one of my former students returns to open his or her practice. The patients of the Wiregrass appreciate the students and are grateful for ACOM.

Dothan, AL Preceptor