The majority of your time in this course will be spent with your preceptor. Planning what you would like to work on ahead of time can help you and your preceptor make the most of your eight sessions together.

First Contact with Your Preceptor

You as the student are responsible for making first contact with your preceptor. At the time of your match, you should be given basic contact information for the preceptor (i.e. phone number, email address). To ensure adequate time to complete all eight sessions with your preceptor, please contact them within the first week of receiving your match assignment. If you have any difficulty in contacting your preceptor, please contact the course coordinator or faculty.

Things to Discuss Before Meeting with Your Preceptor

During your first conversation with your preceptor, make sure that you and he/she cover the below important items

1. Schedule: when will you and the preceptor meet? Will there be opportunities to see patients with the preceptor outside of clinic?
2. Preferred method of contact: Important to have in case either you or the preceptor must change or cancel a session. Also important if you would like your preceptor to include you in on-call or OB delivery opportunities. You should clarify with the preceptor how soon in advance they would like to be notified if you must change or cancel a session.
3. Parking/Transportation constraints: if you have parking needs or take the bus and will need to modify your session times with the preceptor based on a bus schedule, please let the preceptor know this ahead of time.
4. Attire: Usually includes your white coat, nametag and stethoscope. Professional attire is strongly suggested.

Attend the Orientation Session and Complete the Learning Plan Form

The orientation session will provide you with hints and tips on how to get the most out of your preceptorship experience. The Learning Plan Form is a paper tool that you will use to discuss your goals and expectations for the course with your preceptor. The Learning Plan Form will be discussed in more detail at the orientation.