Primary care is a medical field involving health promotion and disease prevention. Primary care is traditionally practiced by physicians in the fields of internal medicine, family practice, geriatrics and pediatrics. Physicians in other fields of medicine may also provide primary care to their patients.

Primary care physicians perform the following tasks during the course of their practice: 1) the medical diagnosis and treatment of diseases, including mental illness, 2) the communication, in a sensitive manner, with patients and their family about the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and prognosis of an illness, 3) providing personal support for their patients and families in all stages of illness, 4) helping to maintain patients with chronic illness and providing support for their families, 5) helping to prevent disability and disease through the detection, education, behavioral modification, and preventive treatment and 6) coordinating treatment by sub-specialists participating in the care of their patients.

The Primary Care Preceptorship Course (BIOM593) offers the opportunity to practice your clinical and interpersonal skills needed to become a good physician by working closely with a primary care physician. Take into consideration the above definition of a primary care physician when choosing a MD to shadow. In preparation for your 2nd and 3rd years at JABSOM, see as many patients and conditions as possible, study broadly and explore what is means to be a Primary Care Physician.