NCAFP Family Medicine Externship Program

Experience Family Medicine This Summer!!

The NCAFP Foundation's Family Medicine Externship Program is a 4-week summer learning experience that exposes rising second-year medical students to the daily activities of family physicians. The program is designed to offer participating medical students a first-hand understanding of what family medicine encompasses and how family physicians deliver health care and practice medicine. Each student extern receives a stipend for participating in the program and is offered a chance to work alongside a practicing physician in their independent or group practice. Students may also have the opportunity to shadow physicians in hospitals, nursing homes or other community clinics.

-- Program Application Deadline for class of 2015 first-year medical students has passed - selected participants will be announced in March 2012 --

The At-Home Learning Experience

Since its inception in 1992, over 300 medical students have participated in externships across North Carolina. Based entirely in-state, the program is great for medical students preferring to stay close, but who desire to learn about family medicine and primary care during summer break. In most cases, students participate where they live or within the geographic area of their choice. This makes the program convenient and allows students to simulate a close 'living-and-working' scenario.

How The Externship Program Works

Interested first-year medical students apply to be selected as a Family Medicine Extern. Applications are sent directly to NCAFP offices and are reviewed by a committee composed of family medicine physician leaders. The number of available slots vary according to funding.

Once selected, each student extern is assigned his/her family medicine preceptor. Students may choose to locate a family physician preceptor by utilizing their existing contacts. However, this is not required, and the NCAFP Foundation will attempt to locate a preceptor on the student's behalf in their preferred geographical area. One of the purposes of this program is to expose students to physicians outside of the university community so preference is given to family physicians whose clinical time is community-based.

Once a preceptor has been assigned, the student and physician will arrange a mutually-convenient four-week schedule to complete the program. Learning experiences must be four-weeks in length and be completed prior to September 1st. Each student is required to complete both a pre- and post-program survey, as well as coordinate with their physician preceptors to do the same. Stipends are awarded on completion of these requirements.

The daily activities of program are directed by the physician preceptor. By custom, the program includes daily shadowing of the physician as they interact with patients and deliver care. Each family physician preceptor provides a unique experience.

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for the program, please see your FMIG Faculty Advisor or student leader for an application. You may also contact the Academy offices:

For questions regarding the Family Medicine Externship Program, please contact Tracie Hazelett at the NCAFP at thazelett@ncafp.com or via telephone at (919) 833-2110

Attachment	Size
2012 FM Interest Programs Application.pdf	35.24 KB
For physicians - Community Preceptor Information Form - NCAFP 2012.doc	55.5 KB