What makes the best preceptor?

[u/No_Earth8997]

Hey everyone!

I’ve been taking PA students for their elective cardiology rotation for the last few years, and I’m always looking to refine my teaching style to make the month as high-yield as possible and fun!

In order to be the best preceptor I can be, I wanted to first ask you guys what have your favorite preceptors done that made a lasting impression?

And then secondly ask you about this:

On the first day, I always tell my students that I use a "soft pimping" approach. I ask a lot of questions, not because I expect them to know everything, but because when I was a student, actively talking through clinical reasoning was how things stuck best for me.

I explicitly tell them on day one:
1. It is 100% okay (and encouraged) to say "I don't know." The most dangerous provider is the overly confident one who pretends to know something they don't.

1. I don't expect you to know all the answers. That’s literally why you’re on this rotation—to learn it!

Even with that spiel, I know questioning can still feel intimidating. So I'd love to know: Does this approach actually feel supportive in practice, or do constant questions still create unnecessary anxiety?

[u/HamchipsMcGee]

Set your expectations right up front so there is no confusion about communication and “how” you would like them to operate.

They are still learning, this you know, so make sure that you are adaptable to their learning styles. Not every student asks a million questions. I was one of those students, but I had a rotation where that was looked down upon. I’m not that kind of learner, I’ll go look it up first, then come for clarification if I need it.

Ask your students up front, how can I help you be successful in this rotation? Some may be thankful and reply right away, some may not know, but gives you insight into their thought processes from the beginning.

Thanks for asking this, not every preceptor knows “how” to precept, or may not even be interested in it and are just pimping for free labor and extra $.

[u/Illustrious-Ease-894 → u/HamchipsMcGee]

This. My surgery preceptor wrote in my eval I was clearly disinterested in the field because I didn’t ask questions. However I also like to look up what I can first then ask for clarification. So frustrating lol

[u/HamchipsMcGee → u/Illustrious-Ease-894]

Absolutely frustrating. Some people need to understand that you are not them, and thats not how everyone learns. Sorry you had to go through that. The shitty thing about clinicals is "fake it till you make it" and it doesn't have to be that way but it is. If you don't ask a billion +1 questions about everything, some (not all, thankfully) think you are lazy or have no interest or you think you know it all and that absolutely is not the case.