Patient-centered Medicine (PCM) Scholars Program
Program Overview

The UIC College of Medicine’s“Patient-centered Medicine (PCM) Scholars Program”is the first training program of its kind to explicitly focus on training medical students to provide patient-centered care for all patients, including the vulnerable and underserved.  Beginning in the M1 year, under the supervision of primary care clinical preceptors, students have the opportunity to work closely with a diverse group of patients.

What is patient-centered care?

–health care that establishes a partnership among practitioners, patients and their families (when appropriate) to ensure that decisions respect patients’ wants, needs and preferences.

Why is patient-centered care important?

A patient-centered approach leads to–

  • greater patient satisfaction and compliance
  • improved outcomes
  • reduction in unnecessary services
  • greater physician fulfillment, and reduced malpractice claims 

–all without significant increases in time and money.

Unique aspects of the PCM Scholars Program

Over the course of their medical school training, students will have the opportunity to……

  • directly assist their preceptors in the care of patients, beginning in the M1 year;
  • follow selected patients over time;
  • work closely with underserved patients in one of five areas of concentration, HIV/AIDS, homelessness, domestic violence, immigrant & refugee health, and geriatrics;
  • assist patients in navigating the healthcare system and utilizing community resources to improve their health and well being;
  • learn new concepts of clinical care, e.g., group visits and patient self-management; and,
  • learn to collaborate with health care professionals from other disciplines.

PCM Scholars who successfully complete at least 2 of the following 3 program components – M1, M2, M4* – will receive a certificate of accomplishment.
*To be eligible to participate in the M4 component, Scholars must have completed the M2 component.

 

For key curricular features for each training year, please click the links to the right.