Since 1993, the UW Clinical Scholars Program has offered an optional practicum experience for Scholars who wish to learn more about government, private-sector health service delivery organizations, or community agencies. The purpose of the practicum is to expose the Scholar to the structure and function of such an organization and to the kinds of issues with which it deals. The Scholar is on site not merely as an observer, but as a participant, contributing time and energy through work on a modest project of mutual interest. Sometimes the project grows into the Scholar's major research effort and extends beyond completion of the practicum.
While arrangements are flexible, a typical practicum lasts 3-6 weeks in the late summer of the first year or during the summer between the first and second year. The Scholar has a designated practicum site mentor, who shares responsibility for monitoring and evaluating the practicum experience with the UWCSP. Before beginning a practicum, Scholars negotiate specific goals and a plan of activities with the on-site mentor and the responsible UWCSP Director.
Here are some examples of practicum sites and on-site mentors for past
Scholars:
| Site | Mentor |
| U.S. House of Representatives | Hon. James McDermott |
| U.S. Senate | Hon. William Frist |
| Pierce County Health Department | Dr. Christiane Hale |
| American Geriatrics Society | Dr. Patricia Berry |
| Agency for Health Care Policy and Research | Dr. John Eisenberg |
Other organizations that have issued an open invitation to UW Clinical Scholars who wish to do a practicum include:
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Last modified: 1/6/97