“The
doctors gave us responsibility and independence,”
Schatz continued.
“They expected us to be well-versed in
what was going on with our patients and manage several
cases at one time.”
“They get a well-rounded experience and
a lot more exposure,” said Robert Kemp, M.D.,
clinical associate professor of family medicine, Williston.
“They are learning a lot more than they realize.”
“There are only one or two students at
the site and the experience is
longitudinal,” said Burns. “This allows
the students to know the hospital, clinics, and community,
and the people who work and live there. The community
also gets to know them.”
“The ROME program is good for the communities
where students are placed, too,” explained Schauer.
“The students become part of the community. They
teach Sunday school, become coaches, and play on sports
teams. The communities can recruit the students back
once they finish (residency) training.”
The students also bring something to the clinics where
they work.
“Having students in the clinic makes things
fresh,” said Kemp, who practices at Craven-Hagan
Clinic in Williston. “They force us out of our
routine and to have a very good reason for everything
we do.”
“The students are excellent,” he
continued. “These students are just what you want
to have as future physicians.”
Schatz, who is from New England, N.D., is planning
to practice in a rural community when she finishes her
training. “I want to stay in North Dakota,”
she said.
Melissa Samuelsson and Olsen, who both worked
in Williston for seven months through the ROME program,
never thought of practicing in a rural setting before
now.
“I really appreciate the type of medicine
that is practiced in rural communities,” Samuelsson
said. “I feel like I could fit in really well
in a rural situation.”
“It was challenging, yet superb,”
Schatz said about her experience. “This is the
way to do it if you really want a broad spectrum of
disciplines.” Olsen agreed, saying, “It
was so much more than I ever expected it to be. I would
never do it any other way.”
ROME is supported in part through grants from
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health
Resources and Services Administration, Bureau of Health
Professions, Division of Medicine and Dentistry, and
Academic Administrative Units in Primary Care grant
program. |
