Impacts on Community-Based Faculty The College of Medicine educational model relies on local practicing physicians to serve as clinical faculty members for the six regional medical campuses. These physicians were carefully selected for their excellent reputations and their expressed interest in medical education. Even though the individual faculty members already could be regarded as top physicians in their community, they report that they have been able to provide even higher-quality patient care in their practices since their affiliation with the College of Medicine. These faculty members are proud to serve and strongly endorse the FSU program. In interviews with clerkship directors and community faculty members across the six regional campuses, these physicians not only expressed their enthusiasm for the FSU program but also shared insightful observations about its impact on them, their practices and their communities. Members of the community clinical faculty feel strongly that the College of Medicine is having a significant impact on the quality of health care in their respective regions. Numerous comments were volunteered regarding: • • • •
Quality of care. Communications among health-care providers. Medical work force. Professional development and satisfaction.
Regarding quality of care, physician comments ranged from observations about how they conducted their own practices to impact on the community at large: • • • • • • • •
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Serving as an FSU College of Medicine faculty member has contributed to improvements in the quality of health care in my practice. Serving as an FSU College of Medicine faculty member has contributed to improvements in the quality of health care in my community. Access to the FSU College of Medicine e-library has enhanced my ability to provide up-to-date, evidence-based diagnoses and medical care. Students have elevated the appreciation for and use of technology in private practices where they have been assigned. Our community has not had a strong medical library; the FSU College of Medicine e-library is great. With the encouragement of their students, faculty members now practice evidence-based medicine. Students keep the doctors on their toes. Other physicians in the community have asked FSU faculty to assist them with library research needs.