Teaching \u27Family\u27: Evaluating a Multidimensional Clerkship Curriculum

Background: A multidimensional program that includes workshops on family systems, family interviewing, a home visit, and faculty precepting at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is described and evaluated. Methods: Over a 3-yearperiod, ETSU junior clerks received systematic instruction on family issues in medical practice. Evaluations were obtained at the conclusion of the experience. Results: The number of students who rated the importance of family in Family Medicine as \u27very strong\u27 increased from 14 (28%) to 33 (66%) between the beginning and the end of the rotation. The majority of students reported that each of the curricular elements on family had a \u27strong positive impact\u27 and rated home visits as most important in promoting their understanding of families. Conclusions: The curriculum on family had a significant role in enhancing students\u27 appreciation of the importance of the family in medicine