Medical student and faculty perceptions of desirable primary care teaching site characteristics

BACKGROUND: As the need to expand and improve primary care teaching experiences has mushroomed, the need to identify desirable preceptor and site characteristics has also grown. PURPOSE: The current study was designed to assess the relative importance students and preceptors place on site versus preceptor characteristics. METHODS: After a required year-long primary care experience, third-year medical students (n=39) and primary care preceptors (n=20) completed a Q-sort exercise. RESULTS: In all analyses preceptor characteristics were ranked highest. The highest ranked item for students and preceptors was 'The preceptor allows student to assume increasing levels of responsibility'. Seven of the highest ranked items appear on both groups' top 10 list. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high level of agreement between students and preceptors that preceptor rather than site characteristics make the vital difference in primary care educational experiences. When students and preceptors disagree, it is because preceptors see their role- modelling characteristics related to relationships with patients as important, while students are more interested in the hands-on learning opportunities afforded by the preceptor.