In Phase I, the Practical Immersion Experience is a nine (9) week clinical experiences at the end of the first year. During PIE, students use patients and their problems as a springboard for study of the sciences basic to medicine. They also have the opportunity view medicine from a community perspective and to see the impact of being a physician on one's life and lifestyle.
Students are expected to be in the preceptor's office/clinic a minimum of 3 half-days per week. During each half-day, they should see 5 patients chosen by the preceptor. The student is encouraged to follow patients to specialists or hospital settings.
One day per week, the student participates in the community experience, learning about health issues in the community (population, behavioral, biological).
The remainder of the student's time is dedicated to studying basic sciences generated from the patients seen during each half day. Students document patient encounters and learning issues in a student log. In addition, students are required to do a community project.
