Module 5: Clinical Teaching

Precepting Process

The preceptor and preceptee have complementary roles.

Initially, the role of the medical student or resident is to gather information and present it to the preceptor. The student / resident may first see the patient with the preceptor and be asked to present his/her observations. At the next level the student / resident may see the patient alone and report the findings to the preceptor.	The preceptor receives information from the student / resident and processes the information—organizing the information from the student / resident, identifying the key points and developing priorities to ensure the proper care of the patient and to identify teaching points and opportunities.
Teaching Task: Guiding the student or resident to identify key points of information gleaned from the patient's chart, the chief complaint, the history of the present illness, additional patient history, observations and physical exam. Guiding the student / resident to organize and present information in a manner that promotes good patient care and problem solving. Helping the student/resident to prioritize information.