Casting The Anchor: A Partnership for Clinical Training in West Central Georgia Hannah Lydiate Preceptor Coordinator Three Rivers AHEC

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine: Georgia Campus Located in Suwanee, Georgia 27 miles north of downtown Atlanta Only branch of the more than 100 year old PCOM in Philadelphia 80 students per class

The Anchor third year osteopathic medical students from PCOM-GA Live in Columbus to complete required rotations in the region Students use Columbus as their home base- handle their own housing Just finished their 3 rd clinical year Scheduled 154 total rotations for

Motivation Health manpower shortages Three Rivers AHEC and local hospitals Increased time in a region = increased likelihood of returning New medical school needing community clinical training sites Osteopathic Medicine

Why GA-PCOM? Osteopathic medicine’s emphasis on primary care Valuable partnerships in Columbus’ Residency Program Osteopathic model of community based training identified as model for all medical education Non-traditional students = 20-25% of class

Why Columbus/West Central Georgia? Columbus Family Medicine Residency Program, John Bucholtz, DO-Director Each student gets exposure to the program Positive for student and program BRAC-Fort Benning-Bringing 30,000+ to west-central Georgia Fort Benning Family Medicine Residency Program, Martin Army Community Hospital

Starting Off Existing partnerships New relationships 12x12 schedule 7 core rotations 3 electives/selectives 2 required campus based rotations

Starting Off Students given the opportunity to choose the “Columbus track” Slots filled up the first day Schedule created, students lottery for their position on the schedule

Community Involvement Columbus Regional Healthcare System Martin Army Community Hospital St. Francis Hospital West Georgia Health System The Bradley Center of St. Francis West Georgia Psychiatric Center Students exposed to each hospital at least once

“Our Twelve” Non-Traditional Traditional Diverse experiences lead them to medicine “Country Doc” Scholar Addictive medicine experience Critical Care nurse Home health nurse Three born and raised in Georgia Ten from the southeast

Welcoming Reception June 2009

Immersing Students in the Community Where to live? Volunteer opportunities Students see changes that need to be made Fresh ideas Students see the needs of our community Third year shapes their view of medicine Opportunity to participate in research

Recreation Suggesting salons and shopping centers Restaurants and events Recreational sports Fitness Centers Chamber welcoming packets

Data Collection Questionnaires filled out by students in June 2009 Level of interest in primary care in the region and in the state Impressions of healthcare facilities and sites What are students looking for in a community? Gauging our region’s attractiveness to new physicians Follow up completed in April 2010

Anchor rd year 12 new third year students Class held a lottery for Anchor Placement Competitive – slots filled immediately Military students interested in MACH residency

Anchor th year 9 of the Anchor students staying Complete 4 core rotations in the area Electives and selectives front-loaded in the schedule Allows students to complete audition rotations prior to DO match in March 2011 One student hoping to Match Columbus or Rome

Anchor

Necessary Improvements Better advocacy throughout the region Improved networking and “venting” opportunities for the students System to track student/preceptor feedback Make “The Anchor” a familiar name in all regional healthcare facilities Expansion to include larger student groups in more rural sites. Clinical site development to keep up with program growth

Thank You! Hannah Lydiate Preceptor Coordinator Three Rivers AHEC