Access to clinical training sites and preceptors is widely recognized as one of the rate limiting steps to growth of the profession. Clinical preceptors open up their practices to students and spend time educating them on the proper clinical evaluation and treatment of their patients. 

This relationship does not only benefit the students! Physicians are able to reinforce what they learned in their education and clinical practice. They are also able to learn from students directly by interpreting and responding to student/patient interactions. This experience gives professionals the opportunity to demonstrate and apply knowledge of accepted standards of clinical medicine, enhance leadership and communication skills, advocate for patient welfare and adherence to ethical principles, and integrate evidence-based medicine into patient care. Clinical teaching is eligible for CME credit because it is a self-reflective learning activity for the preceptor and provides invaluable opportunities to advance the knowledge and professionalism of students and providers alike.

Preceptors are needed in all areas of medicine, including Behavioral Medicine & Psychiatry, Cardiology, Dermatology, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, Hematology & Oncology, OB/GYN, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, Inpatient & Outpatient Surgery and more! 

For more information or to become a preceptor, contact Des Moines University Continuing Medical Education at (515)271-1596 or cme@dmu.edu.

Overall Learning Objectives

• Demonstration of core medical knowledge about medical conditions for the patients in their area of practice.
• Demonstration of critical decision making and lifelong learning skills.
• Demonstration of effective communication with patients and their families, physicians and other health care professionals.
• Demonstration of high quality health care and a commitment to patient safety.
• Demonstration of personal responsibility, ethical standards, and sensitivity to diverse patient populations.
• Demonstration of ongoing evaluation and improvement of their patient care practices.
• Demonstration of the ability to effectively interact with different types of health care delivery systems.

Credit Guidelines

• DO's - The submitted hours are reported to the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) on the physician's behalf every 3 months (February, May, August, November). The hours are eligible for Category 1-B credits which can be utilized for licensing purposes.  A maximum of 60 AOA Category 1-B credits for preceptoring may be applied to the 120-hour, 3-year requirement. 
  AOA board certified physicians must earn a minimum of 50 specialty CME credits in each primary specialty every three-year cycle. These credits may be earned in Category 1 or Category 2 and will meet part of the minimum CME requirements for AOA board certification. When DMU submits the osteopathic physicians preceptor hours to the AOA, they will assign specialty credits as appropriate. No additional documentation is needed from the osteopathic physician. For additional information regarding specialty credits, please visit the AOA CME Specialty Credits website.
• MD's - DMU is an AOA residency and teaching residents, medical students or other health professionals meet the requirements for AMA PRA Category 2 Credit™.  The hours are self-reported by the physician and should include the activity title or description, subject or content area, date(s) of participation and number of credits claimed. During each reporting period, you will receive documentation that you can use to self-report these hours.