Dear PCC Preceptor,

Dr. Patrick McBride, the Dean of Students, has announced a special initiative to decrease 'specialty bashing' throughout the medical school, particularly in the clinical years. I am sure that all of us in primary care endured some of this, and will welcome this news.

Although we may feel that primary care is often 'bashed,' a recent study indicates we also can be the 'basher.' http://www.stfm.org/fmhub/fm2008/June/David400.pdf

Therefore, we are all asked to resist any temptation to speak ill of our specialist colleagues, focusing instead on what we like about our own careers and practices. Dr. McBride will be asking students for feedback about any concerns they may have encountered in this area.

John Brill, MD
Director, Primary Care Clerkship
John.brill@aurora.org