Train-the-Preceptor Program in Functional Assessment
University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
This web-based training program teaches physicians who serve as preceptors to medical students in a community-based clerkship the principles and practical strategies of office-based functional assessment, and some methods of teaching functional assessment to the students that they precept. It uses streaming audiovisual presentation, online readings, interactive practice cases and assessment tools, and clinical simulation. Although designed for preceptors of medical students, this program may also be beneficial for the students themselves, for housestaff, or for other community physicians who want to improve their own practices and skills in functional assessment.
1. Describe the importance and application of a brief functional evaluation framework for geriatric patients in a busy office practice. 2. Develop a plan to incorporate brief focused geriatric assessment education in your office. 3. Identify tools for any physician who deals with aging patients to better assess and care for those patients. 4. Evaluate simple tools that learners can use in assessing the health status and health needs of the geriatric patient. This online program is intended to give community-based preceptors of medical students the knowledge and skills needed to teach functional assessment to medical students, and will familiarize clinicians with teaching tools to optimize opportunities for a brief geriatric assessment in a busy office setting.
At the University of Iowa, a live workshop has been used to train physicians who serve as community-based preceptors for medical students in their private practices. Many of these physicians are based in rural communities, and are somewhat isolated. This online program was developed to make the preceptor training more accessible to those who are unable to attend the live workshop due to time and/or distance. If this product is to be used in a classroom or computer lab setting, make sure in advance that all computers on which it will be used meet the system requirements as described below. Also, it is advised to test the product on the targeted computer(s) before using it with the learners. This program requires that your computer have the following web browser plugins: Flash Player 8 or later, QuickTime 6 or later, and Adobe Reader 5 or later. A DSL line, cable modem, or other broadband connection, along with the latest version of your web browser, is highly recommended, although not required.