Dear Inquirer,
Thank you for your interest in a clinical experience at Medicos. Medicos 1999-2011 has been rated as an outstanding clinical experience by medical students and residents. We are grateful for every kind word.
As an application and interview, applicants immerse themselves in the experience for at least 4 hours by arrangement. This is a chance for them to see if the chemistry feels right for their educational goals. Please submit a CV and your educational goals in the context of your 10 year professional vision.
Medicos does not accept volunteers. Students apply for the workstudy program. When accepted they are paid an hourly rate. Flexible hours are available, but, once a student is placed on the schedule, that student is expected to honor that schedule.
Medicos is unique in that it does not receive any government or charity support, Medicos pays taxes and teaches others as a mission. Medicos is more than a generic primary care, and students who have some predisposition to a future which includes night call and deliveries will receive preference points. Medicos will not accept workstudy students unless they agree to work weekends and nights like we do.
Although based in Family Medicine, Medicos represents a separate specialty- Surgical Family Medicine Obstetrics +ER. This is the only logical solution to health care needs in underserved communities and developing countries. American medical schools and residencies have become disconnected from the realities of community medicine and mission medicine.
Although some programs, such as Contra Costa, Fort Worth, Medicos, et al--- can provide over twice the service at less than half the cost, this training is difficult to find..
Due to the restrictions placed on training, many clinical skills are no longer available to medical students.. Sub-specialization is the default. Physicians study more and more to learn about less and less. This further isolates the physician from the reality of providing the broad array of health care services needed in the real world. When physicians have limited skills, career opportunities are restricted. Medicos is a partial antidote to taught helplessness.
A commitment to speaking Spanish suggests that the candidate has gone beyond the rhetoric, and is committed to "walking the walk". Students with a commitment to "…the road less traveled" are welcome. Due to demand, we have to steward these resources carefully.
Your comments and interest are appreciated.
With best wishes for your professional success,
Wm. MacMillan Rodney MD, FAAFP, FACEP
Clinical Professor and Chair
Medicos para la Familia
Index--Orientation info, student rotation application advice
Comments