DEVELOPMENT AND QUALITATIVE EVALUATION OF RURAL AMBULATORY CARE CLINICAL CLERKSHIPS

The purpose of this study was to construct and evaluate a methodology for developing rural ambulatory care (RAC) clinical clerkships. The two preceptors selected for RAC clerkships were pharmacists practicing at Indian Health Service ambulatory clinics. Four students participated in the program. Three additional students, who performed clerkship in urban hospital (UH) settings served as a comparison group. Qualitative data was collected through interviews and personal daily logs kept by students. The unique benefits identified by students in the RAC rotations included improved patient counseling and chart screening skills, hands-on experience, extensive one-on-one consultations with physicians, and opportunities to observe several different types of ambulatory clinics. Students from both rotations expressed improved confidence and an increased awareness of their own limitations. RAC clerkship experiences compared favorably with UH clerkship experiences. The interest and enthusiasm expressed by the subsequent year's clerkship students further demonstrates the success of the program.