About Preceptorship

In 1995, the Texas Legislature passed legislation creating the General Pediatric Preceptorship Program. The Texas Pediatric Society was chosen to administer the program under the direction of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

The goals of the program are to:

• increase the number of Texas medical school students choosing a career in pediatrics
• provide hands-on training experience in which students learn clinical and office management skills from a community-based pediatrician

Since summer 1996, over 1800 students have successfully completed pediatric preceptorships through the statewide program. Outcome studies are being done on students who participated in the preceptorship program. Information on residency matches for 1999-2010 indicates that approximately 37% of preceptorship students entered pediatric residency programs.

All eight Texas medical schools are participating. The program is available to preclinical students between their first and second year of medical school and to clinical students as an elective. Volunteer preceptors are full-time practicing pediatricians whose practice is at least 50% general pediatrics.

Students will not be paid a stipend, but are required to send the student/preceptor evaluations.

Students are required to complete a Student Profile giving information about themselves and their preference for dates and location for the preceptorship.

Interested students and physicians should contact: Amy White, Director of TPS Foundation and the General Pediatric Preceptorship Program, 401 W. 15th St., Suite 682 Austin, 78701-1665 (512) 370-1519 fax (512) 473-8659