Faculty and Staff at Premier Community HealthCare Group (Dade City), Suncoast Community Health Care Centers (Ruskin, Dover, Plant City), Tampa Family Health Centers, Community Health Center of Pinellas, DeSoto Memorial Hospital (Arcadia), or Citrus County Health Department (Lecanto).
This elective rotation is designed to introduce the senior student to the unique characteristics of medical practice in a rural or underserved community. Students will be supervised by clinical family physician faculty and will gain a better understanding of providing care to a medically underserved population and the tremendous health needs that exist. Depending on the site selected, Gulfcoast North AHEC or Gulfcoast South AHEC may offer housing and/or a mileage stipend to students.
Goals and Objectives
- Compare and contrast the health needs and problems encountered in rural or underserved practice to those encountered in prior urban practice rotations
- Identify the unique opportunities and challenges to medical practice and life in a rural or underserved community
- Introduce/sensitize the student to cross-cultural issues in health care
- Understand the mechanisms and indications for consultation and referral in rural or underserved practice settings
- Evaluate the business management of rural or underserved practice, including availability of organized funding for patient care, managed care, etc.
Organization of Elective
- Arrangements for a specific time commitment will be made through the Department of Family Medicine in conjunction with Gulfcoast North AHEC or Gulfcoast South AHEC.
- The student will accompany the clinic physician Monday through Friday at the designated clinic site, will see patients, and will perform procedures assigned by the preceptor under his/her supervision.
- At certain locations opportunities are available for additional practice activities within the hospital, emergency department, and in the community.
Evaluation
The assigned faculty preceptor will provide an individual evaluation addressing the student's adaptability and understanding as well as knowledge, judgment, and rapport.
Availability
At certain sites this elective is available to USF students only. The Department of Family Medicine and Gulfcoast North AHEC or Gulfcoast South AHEC will make the final arrangements. Availability at all clinic sites is per the preceptor’s approval.