Primary Care Rural Preceptorship Program

A summer rotation placing first-year medical students one-on-one with a primary care physician in rural and medically underserved Louisiana communities.

What You Will Learn

All aspects of primary care medicine as practiced in a rural or underserved community
The significance of the patient and physician relationship over a sustained rotation
Techniques commonly used in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of patients' medical problems
The medical problems most common in rural and underserved communities
The basic principles of office management and the roles of other staff and departments

Who Should Join

Students completing their first year of medical school
Students interested in pediatrics, family medicine, or internal medicine
Students considering practice in a rural or underserved Louisiana community
Students who want sustained one-on-one time with a practicing physician
Students flexible about placement location and rotation dates

Requirements

Student completing their first year of medical school at LSU Health Shreveport, LSU Health New Orleans, or Tulane with an interest in primary care medicine
Completion of a phone or video interview, plus return of the Confirmation of Preceptorship form to your sponsoring AHEC office
Attendance at the Orientation Workshop, and availability for the full rotation, typically during June

Explore This Program

Overview

About This Program

The Primary Care Rural Preceptorship Program (PCRPP) provides primary care clinical training experiences for medical students and physician recruitment opportunities in rural and/or medically underserved communities. Offered through a partnership between LSU Health Shreveport and the Louisiana AHECs, the program assigns participating students to a primary care physician, the preceptor, for a continuous period of up to 4 weeks, working one-on-one in either a private practice setting or a public health service environment.

Why Join This Program?

Curriculum

What You’ll Learn

PCRPP is a rotation of up to four weeks, typically during June, scheduled in the summer between your first and second year of medical school. Across the rotation, students observe and participate in all aspects of medical care delivery in a non-metropolitan primary care setting.

Clinical Practice

Students observe all aspects of the practice of primary care medicine in rural or underserved community settings, learning techniques commonly used in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of patients’ medical problems.

Patient and Physician Relationship

Students learn the significance of the patient and physician relationship, and the importance of understanding each patient in relationship to their family, job, and environment.

The Physician's Role in the Community

Through observation and example, students see the physician’s professional role as well as their civic responsibilities, and gain an understanding of the rural physician’s place in the community.

Practice Operations

Students become familiar with the basic principles of office management and gain insight into the roles and responsibilities of other members of staff and departments.

Core AHEC Topic Areas

Students gain understanding of the eight core topic areas central to AHEC values: inter-professional education, behavioral health integration, social determinants of health, cultural competence, practice transformation, and current and emerging health issues.

Testimonials

Program Impact: Student Perspectives

PCRPP has been placing medical students with rural preceptors for years, and many of those students have gone on to practice in the communities where they trained. Here is what participants and preceptors have shared.

Cameron Windham, MD

PCRPP Alumnus, Internal Medicine Physician

I continued my relationship with AHEC by participating in the Primary Care Rural Preceptorship Program, where I was able to shadow one of the primary care providers in my hometown. I firmly believe these programs helped prepare me for every step of my journey to become a physician.

James Bordelon, Jr.

Medical Student Preceptor, Bunkie

This is a program vital to the future of medicine in rural America. AHEC was monumental in my decision to return to rural Louisiana and my home to practice medicine. I have been mentoring students for the last 17 years.

Morgan Setliff

PCRPP Participant, Medical Student at LSU Health Shreveport

As a medical student at LSU Health Shreveport, I am an AHEC Scholar and have completed the Primary Care Rural Preceptorship Program. Each of these programs gave me experiences that shaped who I am today.

Trusted By

PCRPP is offered through a partnership between LSU Health Shreveport and the Louisiana AHECs: Bayou North AHEC in Bossier City, Central Louisiana AHEC in Alexandria, Southeast Louisiana AHEC in Hammond, and Southwest Louisiana AHEC in Lafayette.

Application

Secure Your Spot Today

Applications are typically due in late January, with phone or video interviews held in February and placements assigned before spring break. Students meet or call their preceptor over spring break, return the Confirmation of Preceptorship form to their sponsoring AHEC office, and attend the Orientation Workshop in May before the summer rotation begins. Placements are based on interest in primary care medicine, geographic preference, availability of preceptors, and availability of funding; choosing multiple regions and being flexible about location and dates increases your chances of placement.

FAQ & Contact

Need Help?

Have questions about placements, housing, or the stipend? The answers below cover what we’re asked most often, and our team is always ready to help.

Who is this program for?

Students who are completing their first year of medical school.

Where can I be placed if accepted into this program?

You may be placed in rural communities throughout Central Louisiana AHEC’s 17-parish region. A coordinator from your area AHEC office will arrange your placement.

Is housing available for the duration of my placement?

In some cases, yes. This depends on the preceptorship placement site and availability of housing at the time of the scheduled rotation. It is suggested that students select an area where housing is available to them outside of CLAHEC assistance.

When does the program typically take place?

This is a 4 week rotation, typically during the month of June. Your preceptorship would be scheduled in the summer between your 1st and 2nd year of medical school.

Does this program require interviews?

Yes, typically by phone or video call.

Is a stipend available to students who complete the program?

Yes, stipends are awarded to the students upon completion of the program and submission of all mandatory paperwork. Stipend amounts vary from year to year and are dependent upon the AHEC center.

Does this count toward an elective or selective credit?

No. This program does not count toward an elective or selective credit.

Get in Touch

If you have more questions or need personal assistance, feel free to contact us: