What is PCCAMP?

PCCAMP is designed with a two-fold purpose:

1) to give busy clinicians educational tools that will enhance their skill and knowledge in career advising and mentoring and

2) to create a community of learners interested in helping health professions students better identify their passion and goals.

Primary care providers, as well as specialists, can use PCCAMP to guide and connect with health professions students.

Supporting Students in Primary Care:
Use of Mentoring and Student Centered Career Advisement

Bruce Gould, MD
Associate Dean for Primary Care
University of Connecticut School of Medicine

Mentoring health professions students is more than simply advising a student about career choices. In mentoring, a relationship is developed that supports the student professionally and personally. A mentor should provide candid and judgment free information to stimulate growth and reflection on the part of the student about his/her development and satisfaction as a health care provider.

Career counseling and advising provide the student with the opportunity to discuss and reflect on available career opportunities and the student’s personal attributes as they relate to potentially appropriate careers. Any practitioner involved in the student’s education can do career advising.

Key themes from a 2009 survey of University of Connecticut Urban Service Track (UST) students and primary care residents about their mentoring and career needs follow:

• Mentors need to be available to students.
• Identifying a mentor in primary care is critical to successfully staying engaged and supported throughout clerkships.
• Inclusion of students in professional conferences and meetings is important to students’ commitment to primary care and their success.
• Mentors’ open and candid discussion of career and lifestyle balance is desired and appreciated on the part of students.