Private physicians in ambulatory care training in U.S. medical schools

The contribution of private physicians to medical student education in ambulatory care was determined by a questionnaire directed to departments of family practice, internal medicine, and pediatrics in 124 U.S. medical schools and their branch campuses. The response rate was 84 percent. Of the responding departments, 82 percent offered an ambulatory care course in curricular years three and/or four, and 56 percent utilized private physicians in their courses. Departments of internal medicine were least likely to offer such a course, and their courses less frequently included teaching by private physicians (p < 0.0001). When offered, internal medicine courses in ambulatory care were least likely to be required for graduation and involved the fewest students. Departments of family practice were most likely to offer ambulatory care courses and were most likely to utilize private physicians in their courses.