Medical Student Education

The Department of Family Medicine at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine has a demonstrated commitment to medical student education. Our faculty lead and teach several core courses in both the pre-clerkship and clerkship curriculum and direct a variety of student experiences and electives. Our mandatory 6-week family medicine third year clerkship is highly regarded by medical students and recognized as excellent both at this school and nationally.

Family medicine provides comprehensive patient-centered care that is built on the patient-physician relationship and encompasses care across the life spectrum from prenatal to end of life. It is a rewarding and challenging specialty as family physicians are trained to manage acute illness, chronic disease, and health promotion and prevention that serves the needs of adults, children, and obstetric patients in both the inpatient and outpatient settings.

There are a variety of career paths available in family medicine, making it one of the most flexible medical specialties.

Curriculum Components

Coursework

Family Medicine coursework prepares medical students with the skills necessary to practice effective and high-quality care in family medicine and other specialties.

Pre-Clerkship

In their first and second year, students can participate in a variety of programs and interest groups to prepare for family medicine and primary care careers.

Third Year Clerkship

The Family Medicine clerkship provides students with a comprehensive foundation in the knowledge, attitudes, and skills essential to Family Medicine, preparing them for their future roles as physicians. Clerkship sites include a number of community health centers.

Fourth Year