First Year Rural Experiences
Family medicine offers volunteer experiences in rural
programs. Rural family medicine clinical experiences are also
available as part of the second semester longitudinal preceptorship
for generalist students. Students may choose rural sites for
the block preceptorship experience in March for one
week. For summer preceptorship opportunities grant
money is available through
SEARCH. Contact
Carolyn Sliger with any
questions about rural family medicine opportunities.
Second Year Rural Experiences
For experience in rural programs as a second year student, choose
rural sites for the block preceptorship which occurs for one week
in October.
Third Year Family Medicine Clerkship
Rural Health Fairs
The Department of Family Medicine provides all third-year medical students with a three day rural clinical experience as part of rotations in family medicine. During the health fairs the students take histories, perform physical examinations, provide patient education in preventive health and conduct screening services. Additionally, medical students provide health promotion and disease prevention training at local schools. Family medicine resident, fellows, and faculty serve as supervisors/teachers of the students and provide direct patient services as required. The health fairs are supported by the Department of Family Medicine and the community, organized with community planning groups across Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and are held six times per year. (Photo of third-year medical students at the 2009 Health Fair in Morristown,TN). Click here for more information about Rural Health Fairs.
Community based experiences
Community preceptorship on the family medicine rotation;
3rd year students can be placed for a week in a rural site with a
rural physician.
Senior Rural Family Medicine Elective
Students wishing to experience rural family medicine may spend up to four-weeks with a rural physician in the Southern Appalachian Region. Practices may be selected that emphasize one or more of the following: obstetrics, geriatrics, pediatrics, migrant farm workers, or community oriented primary care. It is possible to combine two weeks of rural practice experience with two weeks at one of the departments Family Medicine Residency programs in Bristol, Kingsport, or Johnson City.