Preceptors

Two students walk up stairs on college campus

ACOFP Is

Committed to Medical Education

ACOFP Helps Build

A Community of Preceptors

An effective preceptor can make all the difference in the professional lives of students and the care that their potential patients receive.

Preceptors support, evaluate, and provide vital feedback that can help students improve their critical problem-solving skills and their professional approach to patients and colleagues. Preceptors provide students an opportunity to apply concepts, and techniques, and to develop attitudes, values, and an individual approach to patient care. They also assign students responsibilities that correspond to their capabilities and their schools’ learning program objectives.  

Preceptors can increase the students’ confidence and focus on attaining clinical skills, enhance their communication abilities, and expand their decision-making processes.  

The first step is to join us.

Key Roles

  • Assist and support learning experiences for the student.
  • Facilitate the development of knowledge, clinical skills, and professional attitudes.
  • Supervise, guide, and act as a role model.
  • Help to orient the student to the work environment.
  • Provide hands-on skills and experience.

Deepen Your Understanding

How to become a preceptor

Determine which osteopathic schools are near you and select the schools you are interested in serving as a preceptor. Each school has its set of requirements and its application process. Some schools have regional coordinators assigned to the area to review the proposed rotation information and current rotation needs.

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Recognizing Preceptors

Master Preceptor Awards

The Master Preceptor Award recognizes preceptors for their sustained commitment to excellence in the training, education and mentoring of osteopathic medical students in family medicine. Nominations are solicited from colleges of osteopathic medicine and other organizations, with the final selection made by the Preceptor Committee, with the approval of the Board of Governors.

Osteopathic Family Medicine Educator of the Year Award

One of ACOFP's most prestigious honors, this award honors an individual who exemplifies the osteopathic family medicine profession’s highest standards of excellence in teaching and has made significant, commendable, and long-standing contributions to the academic advancement of osteopathic students, residents and the osteopathic profession. Nominations are solicited from colleges of osteopathic medicine and residency programs.

Learn More about Being a Preceptor