An outreach program for a rural medical school.

An outreach program for Dartmouth Medical School has been developed which utilizes rural communities in the education and training of medical students and residents in primary care. A correlated curricular track for primary care and a residency program have been established. The program is interdepartmental and administered by the dean, and services provided to patients are financed by fee-for-service. The cost incurred by the presence of residents and medical students is shared by the community and the medical school. The program is based on a close partnership between the medical school and the community in fulfilling their respective educational and service objectives.