Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences (DMU) recently hosted a critical Continuing Medical Education (CME) presentation, “Precepting in a Rural Community,” featuring Crawford County Memorial Hospital physician leaders, Michael Luft, D.O., and David Wright, D.O., FACOS, FACS, who are both DMU alumni. The discussion highlighted the opportunities and challenges of providing clinical instruction in rural settings.
Dr. Luft and Dr. Wright, offered an overview to preceptors and clinical instructors on preparing students for practice in rural communities. The session emphasized the need for providers to share their rural practice experiences, focusing on interprofessional collaboration and the direct impact students can have on community health.
Expert Insights on Rural Practice
Michael Luft, D.O., a specialist in Family and Emergency Medicine, shared his 20 years of experience caring for patients of all ages to share insights from his career. He emphasized that working in a rural community allows medical students to experience the full spectrum of primary and acute care.
Joining him was David Wright, D.O., FACOS, FACS, a Board Certified General Surgeon. Dr. Wright’s insights focused on the surgical and specialty care needs in rural areas, offering a perspective on the comprehensive care students must understand.
The presentation provided learning objectives for attendees, including recognizing the benefits of precepting, discussing opportunities for students, and listing the benefits and needs for physician recruitment in rural communities.
The session was part of DMU’s ongoing commitment to supporting healthcare providers who actively participate in the education of future clinicians.
