The Family Medicine Core Clinical Experience is a required, rotation for all OHSU medical students. It is not available to students from other institutions.  

Students learn the specialty of Family Medicine through clinical work in multiple settings, formal didactics and small group discussions.

Clinical preceptorship

Students spend approximately 80 percent of their time on the rotation working in a family physician's practice. This may include hospital, maternity care, nursing home and home visits, depending on the individual practice. Some students may work with only one preceptor for the entire rotation, while other students may experience multiple providers.

Small group discussion

Weekly small group discussions, facilitated by faculty. These give students an opportunity to research clinical issues they encounter in their preceptor's practice. The sessions focus on problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Didactic interactive seminars

One half-day per week is spent in interactive seminars/workshops. A core set of seminars are presented to students by faculty to cover medical, social and practice-related issues.

Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE)

The OSCE uses standardized patients in clinical scenarios. Students perform histories, exams and provide patient education in a clinical simulation. The students receive immediate feedback from faculty. The OSCE is to allow students a chance to learn and implement strategies throughout their rotation.