Assessing Factors that Influence Community-Based Faculty Satisfaction with Precepting Health Professions Students in Georgia
Abstract
Background
Community-based faculty preceptors provide necessary clinical training to prepare health professions students for practice in the community. Georgia Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) increase access to primary care services in underserved rural and urban areas by recruiting, training, and retaining health professionals. To continue recruitment and retention of health professionals for underserved areas, it is critical to determine preceptor motivations for, satisfaction with, and perceived barriers to precepting.
Methods
AHEC surveyed current and former preceptors. Preceptor satisfaction score was compared by socio-demographic variables using multivariable regressions. In addition, respondent comments were analyzed to identify common themes.
Results
Overall, 1,270 individuals completed the survey in May-June 2023 (11% response rate). We found significant differences between current and past preceptors (in satisfaction with precepting and incentives, years precepted, rotations completed per year, age, and sex). Preceptors reported that they teach for the joy of teaching, however, students can be detrimental to clinical productivity. Analysis revealed that precepting negatively impacted the number of hours worked and income, patient flow, and patient satisfaction.
Conclusion
This study indicates that changes should be made to improve the precepting experience and retention. For example, preceptors suggested that schools ensure students have a foundation of knowledge and skills before rotating in the community, schools provide feedback to preceptors to improve their teaching skills, and AHEC make it easier to register and log hours for the tax incentive.
Keywords
Community-based medical education; medical practice; perceptions; teaching; survey
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Assessing Factors that Influence Community-Based Faculty Satisfaction with Precepting Health Professions Students in Georgia
Background
Community-based faculty preceptors provide necessary clinical training to prepare health professions students for practice in the community. Georgia Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) increase access to primary care services in underserved rural and urban areas by recruiting, training, and retaining health professionals. To continue recruitment and retention of health professionals for underserved areas, it is critical to determine preceptor motivations for, satisfaction with, and perceived barriers to precepting.
Methods
AHEC surveyed current and former preceptors. Preceptor satisfaction score was compared by socio-demographic variables using multivariable regressions. In addition, respondent comments were analyzed to identify common themes.
Results
Overall, 1,270 individuals completed the survey in May-June 2023 (11% response rate). We found significant differences between current and past preceptors (in satisfaction with precepting and incentives, years precepted, rotations completed per year, age, and sex). Preceptors reported that they teach for the joy of teaching, however, students can be detrimental to clinical productivity. Analysis revealed that precepting negatively impacted the number of hours worked and income, patient flow, and patient satisfaction.
Conclusion
This study indicates that changes should be made to improve the precepting experience and retention. For example, preceptors suggested that schools ensure students have a foundation of knowledge and skills before rotating in the community, schools provide feedback to preceptors to improve their teaching skills, and AHEC make it easier to register and log hours for the tax incentive.
