Guidelines for medical student education in community-based pediatric offices. American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Pediatric Education Subcommittee on Medical Student Curriculum.

Abstract

The special constellation of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that are necessary to practice general pediatrics should be an integral part of the curriculum of all medical schools. Community-based pediatric educational experiences should be integrated into the medical school curriculum starting in the first year. The curriculum should be developed as a joint undertaking of clerkship directors and community pediatricians. Implementation of the curriculum requires ongoing faculty development to learn to use focused teaching, to establish educational objectives, and to adapt educational experiences to the unique characteristics of the office setting. Methods and techniques for the ongoing evaluation of the students' performance, and evaluating faculty members' abilities to implement an effective educational program must also be developed.