A Crash Course in Precepting for Chief Residents

Precepting residents in clinic is one of the more satisfying aspects of a chief resident's job. In a job that otherwise focuses on program-level education, precepting provides a unique opportunity to work one-on-one with residents. The outpatient setting allows educators to hone their skills in individualizing teaching to a specific resident's skill level through direct observation, feedback, and coaching. However, while chief residents have often had significant practice leading inpatient teams as a senior resident, most residency programs do not afford the same supervisory practice in the outpatient setting. This interactive workshop will help future chief residents develop skills in outpatient precepting. Presenters will introduce a framework for organizing precepting sessions that includes strategies to plan and implement before, during, and after a precepting session. Participants will take a deep dive into precepting strategies and explore several models including the one-minute preceptor/microskills, SNAPPS, and problem-based precepting, then practice these methods through role-playing a brief case presentation. The group will discuss graduated autonomy, how precepting styles can effectively adapt to the skill level of the learner, and best practices for direct observation in a busy clinic. This workshop will be led by current chief residents who applied these skills in the current academic year along with more experienced preceptors who have led faculty development sessions on these topics.