COMMUNICATION AS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF PROGRAM AND INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The Longitudinal Primary Care program, an innovative curriculum in gen eralist medicine at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of M edicine, has been enhanced by a commitment to fostering good communica tion among all of its participants (who include more than 350 students and nearly 300 office-based generalist preceptors) and between partic ipants and administrators. The diverse and widely scattered group of p receptors is brought together through orientation sessions and faculty development workshops that stress precepting skills and mentoring. Pr eceptors are regularly surveyed and the survey data are analyzed to he lp administrators learn how best to recruit and retain these faculty m embers. Students' input comes through surveys, small-group meetings, a nd their participation on committees. Program evaluation data and form al notes from committee meetings are promptly compiled and disseminate d. Such efforts to promote good communication among preceptors, studen ts, program administrators, and the medical college have both enhanced the generalist program and encouraged other curricular reforms in the college.