Clinical Experience
At their rural clinical sites, students participate in the full spectrum of rural medicine as they work alongside the healthcare team to provide supervised care. Students follow patients and their families over time in clinic, hospital and extended care settings, fostering an appreciation of the benefits of continuity in patient care. Training in rural communities offers the opportunity to experience increased hands-on-education and provides a unique view of the rewards and challenges of providing patient care in a rural setting. Students develop strong bonds with instructors and other members of the healthcare team, who mentor them on the professional and personal aspects of being a physician and healthcare team member.
On-site specialty clinics, academic faculty visits, online cases, telemedicine and weekly didactic sessions are all used to help students expand their medical knowledge.
Community Engagement
Students are actively engaged in their FARM community outside of the healthcare setting, helping coach local high school sports teams, participating in community events, working with local EMS, teaching in health classes at the local school and so many other ways. In addition, as part of their experience, students complete a community project intended to address a need within their community. Projects can include health education for youth and/or adults, community service projects, ongoing community support projects or projects that address any other unmet need the community may have. Students receive support from partners such as the South Dakota Area Health Education Center and the South Dakota Foundation for Medical Care. Each year, one project is chosen as the outstanding community project and receives a monetary award from the South Dakota Academy of Family Physicians. Some of these projects have gone on to be presented on a local, state and national level.
