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Teaching Medical Students in Family Practice: Enriching Careers and Communities – by Dr. Barra O’Briain

Doc-to-Doc Guest Contributor: Dr. Barra O'Briain

 

The Value of Teaching in Family Practice

Teaching medical students within your family practice brings numerous benefits. It not only enhances your own experience as a practitioner1,4, but also has a positive influence on students' decisions to pursue family medicine2,3. Furthermore, learners may be inspired to build their careers in the same community where you practice6. Given Canada's ongoing need for family physicians, and the fact that many practising doctors could use an uplift in their professional satisfaction4, teaching offers a meaningful opportunity to contribute and reinvigorate your daily work.

Opportunities Across Medical Training

There is a demand for teachers at every stage of medical education. In the pre-clinical years—years 1 and 2—the emphasis is on developing communication and examination skills. In years 3 and 4, students concentrate on applying their knowledge and honing clinical reasoning.

Teaching is a dynamic form of professional development, keeping your clinical skills sharp5. The process is reciprocal: by engaging with students who are selected for their aptitude and exposed to the latest advancements in medicine and technology, you stay informed and up to date. Working alongside learners is akin to an ongoing continuing medical education (CME) exercise, embedded naturally within your practice.

Preventing Burnout and Succession Planning

Teaching can re-energize your approach to family medicine and has been associated with reduced burnout4. For physicians nearing retirement—within five to ten years—teaching offers a pathway to recruit successors for your practice. I have been teaching 4th year medical students and residents for the past 36 years.  In 2023 I retired from my clinical practice and transferred my panel of patients to a former medical student.  You may find the same opportunity awaits you, ensuring continuity of care within your community.

Next Steps:

If you’re interested in teaching, please contact:

 

Lastly, this there is new edition of a well put together resource by the VFMP Faculty Development Team that I have on my desk and refer to regularly call Teaching Skills for Community-Based Preceptors.  You can order the booklet by contacting vfmp.facdev@ubc.ca.

 

References:

  1. Why Physicians Teach: Giving Back by Paying It Forward. Steinert Y, Macdonald ME. Medical Education. 2015;49(8):773-82. doi:10.1111/medu.12782.
  2. Factors That Influence Student Choice in Family Medicine a National Focus Group. Alavi M, Ho T, Stisher C, et al. Family Medicine. 2019;51(2):143-148. doi:10.22454/FamMed.2019.927833.
  3. Medical Student Teaching and Recruiting: 50 Years of Balancing Two Educational Aims. Schneider BN, Chessman A, Toffler W, et al. Family Medicine. 2017;49(4):282-288.
  4. Neglecting Physician Desires to Teach at an Academic Medical Facility: A Mixed Method Investigation of the Consequences. Klinefelter Z, Heavner S, Kennedy AB, et al. Medical Teacher. 2022;44(9):1044-1050. doi:10.1080/0142159X.2022.2058386
  5. What Impact Do Students Have on Clinical Educators and the Way They Practise?. Waters L, Lo K, Maloney S. Advances in Health Sciences Education : Theory and Practice. 2018;23(3):611-631. doi:10.1007/s10459-017-9785-y.
  6. Evolution of the Family Medicine Clerkship: A CERA Secondary Analysis. Ringwald BA, Banas D, Macerollo A, Bruce E, Farrell M. Family Medicine. 2025;. doi:10.22454/FamMed.2025.306815.