Future family physicians get early community contact in Morehouse curriculum.

The pre-clinical curriculum of the Morehouse School of Medicine is unique in several ways. One of the ways in which this curriculum is unique is the manner in which it has involved practicing physicians in the education of medical students during their first two years of medical school. Throughout the country, many physicians have expressed an interest in this involvement of community physicians in the teaching of medical students during what might be their most impressionable period of development. The article which follows describes concisely the development of Community Medicine and Family Practice at the Morehouse School of Medicine, highlighting the issues which relate to the role of community physicians in the teaching of medical students during the pre-clinical years. It is the contention of Morehouse officials that the involvement of practicing physicians in the early education of medical students is very important and that it does not necessitate a compromise of the basic science education which is taking place at this time.