Family Medicine Preceptorship Handbook

Regional Campuses M1 Summer Programs help bridge the gap between the classroom and practical experience for students who have completed the first year of medical school. These programs offer more relaxed environments away from formal coursework where students can focus on different aspects of their medical education and as well as their future career paths as physicians. This handbook provides important details about Family Medicine Preceptorship (FMP) Experiences.

FMP supplies positive training opportunities to UAMS M1 COM students in diverse locations around the state to help demonstrate the need for rural family physicians. As students shadow their Family Medicine Preceptor, they will experience all aspects of a family physician private practice. FMP offers students a more relaxed environment, away from formal coursework, where they can gain insight into the rural family physician’s way of life. Students can observe, learn and consider their future as medical professionals.  By immersing themselves into the day-to-day functions of this practice, students deepen their understanding of multiple vital issues: the value of family medicine and primary care; the importance of chronic disease management; methods to improve patient health care experiences while reducing health care costs; and managing population health in the overall effort to improve quality of life for individuals and populations.

1. Explain the importance of the physician/patient relationship.
2. List common medical problems seen by a family physician in this selected community and discuss the strategies commonly applied for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of these common medical problems.
3. Compare and contrast the value of human and environmental influences as determinants of a patient’s health.
4. Outline basic principles of office management and standard business practices.
5. Describe an approach to clinical problem solving.
6. Explain the need to maintain good clinical records.
7. Demonstrate basic skills of conducting effective patient histories and physicals.
8. Perform simple diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

• Description: Gain hands-on clinical experience in a family medicine practice.
• Primary Goal: Provide students with insight into the everyday life of a private practice family physician.
• Length of Program: Two weeks/80 hours

Stipend: $500**
**Family Medicine Preceptorship is a required program activity for Honors in Underserved Primary Care (HUPC) 4YR students. These HUPC students do not receive a stipend for FMP. NWA Accelerated Three-Year Track (3YR-A) students do not participate in Family Medicine Preceptorship. If HUPC students choose to participate in a Service Learning Project and/or a MASH Camp Assistantship, they are eligible to receive those stipends.

If requested, up to four (4) credits may be approved as an elective for the senior year, for participation in the FMP. However, to qualify for this credit, there must be an unusually stringent academic component to the activity.  Written approval must be received from the College of Medicine Executive Associate Dean’s office prior to starting the project/service. For more information, see the specific policy approved by the College of Medicine Curriculum Committee located in the Appendix.

Application

• January 27, 2026: M1 Family Medicine Summer Programs Launch N Lunch: informal lunch on LR/NW campuses to showcase/recruit for M1 FM summer programs. Lunch provided on both campuses. Live presentation in LR/zoomed into NW.
• Applications accepted via online application: January 26, 2026 through March 6, 2026
• Submit FMP Application by March 6, 2026 deadline. Application must include choice/preferences for Family Medicine Preceptor*, FMP preferred dates/locations and housing requests**. 
• Applications received after March 6, 2026, deadline will be considered only if slots are available.

*Approved preceptors are found on the American Board of Family Medicine website: https://portfolio.theabfm.org/diplomate/find.aspx.  Students search for physicians by name, city or additional qualifications. The students’ preceptor does not have to be from this list.  Students can recommend a FM Preceptor  for their preceptorship. Students work with the M1 Summer Programs Coordinator to find a suitable FM preceptor. Students do not contact the FM preceptor directly until after the M1 Summer Program Coordinator has made the preceptor assignment and contacted the student.

*Eligible FMP Communities:All communities in AR except those in Pulaski County. Honors in Underserved Primary Care HUPC students may select an underserved community inside Pulaski County.  All selections must be approved.

**Housing requests must be noted on the application. It is the student’s responsibility to make housing arrangements. Some family medicine preceptors, communities, and the Regional Campuses may be willing to provide housing while a student is working with their physicians. All housing requests must be noted on the application form prior to submission.

• M1 Students must be in good academic standing with the College of Medicine.
• There are a limited number of stipend-supported slots for each of the three summer programs. Students are encouraged to submit their application early to help ensure desired placement.
• The Regional Campus Central Office reserves the right to make final decisions regarding selection of applicants, selection of appropriate physicians and sites for the Family Medicine Preceptorship, coordination of Service Learning Projects, and MASH Camp Assistantship placements.

• Friday, March 20, 2026:  Students receive notification of FMP acceptance by email from the M1 Summer Program Coordinator. 
• If needed, the M1 Summer Program Coordinator will send students required forms/paperwork to complete to in order to set up stipend payments.
• The M1 Summer Program Coordinator will review student applications, preceptor preferences and work with each student to make the best possible FM preceptor placement for each student.  
• Once placements are complete, the M1 Summer Program Coordinator will confirm the placement by emailing resource packet to students and preceptors.** 

**Preceptorships may not exceed a one-on-one ratio (one student to one preceptor). In the case of a group practice, the number of students allowed with that group depends on the number of physicians actively participating in the program and willing to precept a student.

• Once notified of their approved preceptor, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the preceptor and make all arrangements for two-week preceptorship, confirm their schedule, and secure housing (if applicable).  Every effort will be made to match students with their first choices, but this cannot be guaranteed.  
• It is the student’s responsibility to provide their meals.
• Cancellation:
• If student is placed in a M1 Summer Program and is unable to participate, student must immediately contact: Family Medicine Preceptor, Service Learning Project Director or MASH Camp Director.
• Student must also immediately contact Heidi Damron, the M1 summer programs coordinator as there might be a waiting list with students who are wanting a summer program placement.

General Information

• Timeframe for FM Preceptorships:  June 1, 2026, through July 24, 2026
• Be on time.
• Be prepared.
• Be professional in appearance and attitude.
• Take advantage of every opportunity to learn.
• Wear student lab coat and UAMS name tag unless told otherwise by preceptor.
• Each work week with the Family Medicine Preceptor will be Monday through Friday, usually reporting between 8:00 – 9:00 AM and finishing between 5:00 – 6:00 PM. The physician’s work schedule precludes a definite time outline; the student’s specific schedule will be discussed onsite between student and preceptor.  The student may occasionally be asked to work with the preceptor during evening hours or attend evening/ weekend meetings which he/she considers pertinent. 
• A work week equals five (5) business days – Monday through Friday. If the two-weeks (10 business days) with the Family Medicine Preceptor includes a holiday(s), those days must be made up. It is the student’s responsibility to reschedule those days with Family Medicine Preceptor.
• The Regional Center Director or designee, or a representative of the Regional Campus Education Office may make on-site visits while you are participating in a preceptorship in their region.
• HIPPA Info: Students are third parties to the customary privileged doctor/patient relationship during this preceptorship. Confidentiality must be respected.  Student conduct is expected to be professional and consistent with the dignity and reputation of the profession. Remember your HIPAA training!
• Hospital/Clinic Screenings/Certifications/Approvals: Some hospitals or clinics require anyone who spends time in their facility to be screened and approved for clinical or educational activities, i.e., Family Medicine Preceptorship FMP. These screenings may include CPR certification, annual TB skin tests, immunization records, criminal background checks and/or drug screens. It is the responsibility of the student to provide these documents directly to the hospital or clinic and at the student’s expense.  If required, contact UAMS Student Health Services at 501-686-6381 or http://familymedicine.uams.edu/university-healthcare-services/student-and-employee-health for your health records.
• Complete all Blackboard assignments.

Students will receive Blackboard information prior to the start of the preceptorship. Successful completion of Blackboard assignments is one of the requirements to receive the FMP stipend.

Students will participate in specific Blackboard activities during the FMP to help them gain a better understanding of the specialty of family medicine.  

At the beginning of the FMP, students will interview their preceptor to learn about the practice and to discuss lifestyle, career issues and the role of the family physician in the community. Students will post notes and reflections about the interview as well as thoughts on such topics as health literacy, primary care, chronic disease self-management, public and community health, disease prevention, health policy and advocacy.  Various articles and videos will be posted on Blackboard that allow students to comment and reflect on their FMP experience.

Evaluations: The Regional Campus Education office will contact the FM Preceptor and student if Blackboard evaluations are not received in a timely manner after the two week rotation is complete.

• Student: The Family Medicine Preceptorship is not considered complete until student submits evaluations on their direct preceptor/community physician and the coursework/program on Blackboard. Evaluations are anonymous. Specificfeedback is important to improve next year’s program. There is no academic grade associated with the physician’s or student’s assessment, but it is used to document student accomplishments as well as to help improve the quality of the program.
• Preceptor/Community Physician:  The Family Medicine Preceptorship is not considered complete until the Preceptor/Community Physician submits a student evaluation. The FM preceptor/community physician will complete an assessment of their student’s participation and will verify their successful completion of program objectives.  Upon request, students may receive a copy of the preceptor’s evaluation. 

Stipend Information

• Students will receive FMP stipend check for total amount of $500, after the required two weeks are completed AND upon satisfactory completion of/submission of all assignments (including blackboard) and evaluations (both student and preceptor).

• To offset the cost of transportation, housing, and/or meals in the community for which you have selected.
• The stipend is considered income and student should report as income to the IRS. This income can be offset by school expenses or educational costs, such as tuition, books, supplies, travel, meals and lodging while off campus. If income exceeds educational costs, then the exceeded amount will be taxable.

College of Medicine Senior Course Credit Policy

The two-week Family Medicine Preceptorship along with the additional the four-week Service Learning Project might qualify for this credit.

College of Medicine students who participate in organized preceptorships or research activities, which have been determined appropriate for credit, during the summer between the first and second or second and third years of medical school, can receive up to a total of four credit hours for the activities.  (A credit hour on such an activity will be equal to 36 hours of actual work, not prep time – or a credit hour per week for full time activities).  The activities must be organized by the College of Medicine or the UAMS Regional Programs; they must be part of an organized program with written goals and objectives, and the student must receive an evaluation.   

The determination of whether or not the activity is worthy of credit hours will be made in advance between the College of Medicine (office of the Executive Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or designee), and the director of the program sponsoring the activity.  To qualify for credit, there must be an unusually stringent academic component to the activity and the activity will have been planned specifically to qualify for this credit by the director of the program and the Executive Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Ad hoc preceptorships and/or research activities arranged by the student or groups of students will not qualify for this credit.  In general, a simple preceptorship where the student is assigned to a clinician or researcher and observes them on rounds, in the clinic, or in the laboratory, will not be considered appropriate for credit.  For example, the routine preceptorships available through the UAMS in the summer will not be eligible, nor will summer research positions arranged through the office of the Executive Associate Dean for Research.  Time preparing for the USMLE Step examinations, even if done at a Board Preparation Course, will not qualify for this Pre-Clinical Elective Credit.

If there is any question as to whether a specific activity is eligible for this credit, the student should contact the office of the Executive Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.  No guarantees of credit are made unless approved in advance by this office.

If a student takes part in such an approved activity, the director of the program will be responsible to report the students’ involvement to the College of Medicine Dean’s office in an official evaluation with a pass/fail grade.  These grades will not become part of the student’s transcript, but will be recorded in their permanent record.  Failing grades will obviously receive no credit.  A record will be made of the student’s involvement along with the number of credit hours earned.  The credit hours will be applied during the student’s senior year.