Table 1 2009 comparisons of the College experience with community preceptorships identified by second-year medical students

Passive versus active learning

Colleges active, hands-on

“Preceptorships haven’t been much more than shadowing…College actually provides the opportunity to DO what I’m learning.”

Preceptorships shadowing

Comprehensive versus focused

Colleges comprehensive

“I learned a lot more specialized information in my preceptorship versus general information in [Colleges]. Preceptorships offer a better intro into the clinical world and short focused histories and physicals. Both were beneficial.”

Preceptorships specialized, focused

Structured versus unstructured

Colleges structured, rigorous, formal

“College is very ‘ideal’—follows guidelines/benchmarks…Preceptorships very quick and dirty version of what we learn in the Colleges.”

Preceptorships unstructured, spontaneous, relaxed

“Colleges are more formalized to cover all bases. In preceptorships, we get lots of exposure to bread & butter, but less variety. I think they are complementary.”

Specific skills areas

Colleges in physical exam and clinical reasoning

“Preceptorship was good for learning the mechanics and how you treat. Colleges good for interviewing, PE, OCP, and clinical reasoning.”

Preceptorships in techniques, procedures, treatment

Real life versus academic

Colleges theoretical, academic

“Much more opportunity to practice and receive feedback through Colleges. Much more opportunity to learn specifics of clinical care, realities of practice and exposure to potential career options through preceptorships.”

Preceptorships real life