Models of preceptorship in family and community medicine residence: a Delphi study

Abstract

Introduction:

Medical residency preceptorship in primary healthcare plays a major role in the professional qualification of medical residents, since 70-80% of the workload of the Family and Community Medical Residency Program (PRMFC) takes place in primary care clinics. A preceptor is understood as an experienced practitioner who teaches during clinical practice. The current scenario of expansion of PRMFCs in Brazil, associated with the limited number of professionals specialized in preceptorship, has resulted in the practice of different preceptorship models. A literature review performed in the previous stage of this study, added to the contributions of the Brazilian Society of Family and Community Medicine, pointed out four models of preceptorship in family practice: shoulder-to-shoulder, next-door team, clinic preceptor and field preceptor.

Objective:

To validate these four models of preceptorship and identify if there are others models; to determine, from the perspective of the quality of training residents, the acceptability and degree of recommendation of the models and recognize the positive and negative points.

Method:

The Delphi technique modified by online questionnaires was used. It was initiated with 24 participants from all over Brazil in the first round and ended with 18. Descriptive statistics and content analysis method was applied. The study was conducted between February and April 2022.

Result:

The four models presented were validated and no others were identified. The shoulder-to-shoulder, nextdoor team preceptor and clinic preceptor models were considered acceptable and the field preceptor model, unacceptable. The shoulder-to-shoulder and clinic preceptor models were recommended. Ninety-two aspects were recognized as positive and negative points. Of these, 81 achieved consensus.

Conclusion:

The shoulder-to-shoulder preceptor and clinic preceptor models were validated as acceptable and recommended, so it is important to prioritize these models in the implementation and maintenance of PRMFCs. The next-door team preceptor and field preceptor models were deemed as not recommended and, therefore, should be avoided. Information about the strengths and weaknesses of each model prepares the PRMFCs for possible implementation difficulties and helps them to select the appropriate model for the different realities existing in the country.

Keywords:
Preceptorship; Medical Residency; Family and Community Medicine; Primary Health Care; Medical Education