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Departments, Schools, CollegesFAMILY AND COMMUNITY MEDICINE (F CM)Contact Information:
Go directly to: Medical student electives are described in the The Department: The Department of Family and Community Medicine is in the College of Medicine. The Department emphasizes the values of family and community orientation to medical practice. By means of preceptorships, seminars, projects, lectures, community assignments and clinics, and in collaboration with other departments, students and residents learn family medicine with expertise in family-centered care including issues in pregnancy, psychological care, geriatrics, infant and child care, minor surgery, prevention, health care maintenance through the life cycle and care management. A focus is training medical students in all four years how to handle the undifferentiated primary care patient. Family physicians are in leadership practice in key courses in the first two years. A required 6 week clerkship in the third year is followed by multiple elective and preceptorship experiences in the fourth year. Development of clinical teaching service resources in the rural and urban underserved areas of the state is reflected in programs of preceptorships and clerkships and other educational experiences for the students and residents. Many private family physicians in the community constitute a major teaching resource, and a variety of health-related institutions and programs enrich the student's experience. The Department collaborates with the Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Management, Nursing, Pharmacy and the School of Professions in a variety of educational, research and service efforts. The Department actively participates in a unique series of optional activities in the Commitment to Underserved People (CUP) program available to students beginning in their first year. By participation in such varied programs and experiences, medical students and residents are encouraged to understand family practice and to set up practices in areas of need. Special emphasis is given to knowledge and achievement of comprehensive quality medical care. The Department participates in the interdepartmental course, Preparation for Clinical Medicine (which includes physical diagnosis, interviewing, primary care problems and selected seminars), and in a number of elective interdepartmental courses, many of which are open to graduate students (see Electives Manual or members of the department). The Department has an approved residency in Family Practice. There is also an ongoing Annual Primary Care Update program of continuing education for community physicians developed in close collaboration with the Arizona Academy of Family Physicians. Fellowships in faculty development are offered. The Department serves as a hub for a statewide network of regional Area Health Education Centers (AHECs). The headquarters of these regional AHECs are located in Yuma, Miami, Nogales, Flagstaff and Phoenix. The Native American Research & Training Center conducts health and training projects on reservations within the state. For more information contact the department listed above. |
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