Practical training of medical students in community medicine. Eight years experience from the University of Tromsø.

From its beginning, the Medical School at the University of Tromsø aimed at obtaining a better balance between clinical medicine, basic science and community medicine in its curriculum. This was obtained by using the integrated model for teaching, having a separate study-block for community medicine, incorporating field work in local hospitals and with district doctors and requiring the students to write a scientific paper before qualifying. The 8-week field training with a district doctor started in 1978. Evaluations from these eight years have been analysed and show that students, during these eight weeks, are involved in many aspects of family- and community medicine. The programme has been given positive evaluations from both students and teachers. We conclude that the field training given to medical students in Tromsø is an efficient way of preparing the medical students for future clinical work both inside and outside institutions.