C. J. MACDONALD ET AL.
Copyright © 2013 SciRes. 37
The findings from this study suggest that effective site visits
involve curriculum, faculty development and evaluation issues
and all components need to work together in an efficient man-
ner if the entire system is to be effective. Supporting preceptors
to be better teachers emerged as a key factor that links these
components into a responsive and relevant situational learning
experience.
Given resource requirements and the degree of collaboration
required to deliver effective site visits, it appears that a profes-
sional approach to site visits is essential. Site visits will not be
effective if simply composed of a list of required ingredients of
success. Rather effective site visits will require a recipe or
framework whereby any site visit program can be carefully
implemented, monitored and supported to succeed (MacDonald,
Stodel, Farres, Breithaupt, Gabriel, 2001; MacDonald & Thom-
pson, 2005; MacDonald, Stodel, Thompson, & Casimiro, 2009).
Research must be ongoing to continually monitor and adapt the
recipe and enable more deliberate application of strategies that
lead to a quality site visit experience.
This study also illustrates the dynamic intersections between
theory and best practices. Theory informs actions, and actions
modify theories so that future actions grow out of what we have
learned by experience and reflection (MacDonald & Thompson,
2005; Thompson & MacDonald, 2005). When preceptors per-
ceive that theory makes good practice and good practice makes
theory, the entire system will be energized. As researchers con-
tinue to build site visit recipes based on theory and reflection of
practical experiences, the resulting insights will enable all
stakeholders in a family medicine program to make more in-
formed decisions to positively impact the quality of the site
visit experience, support preceptors in being better teachers and
improve the quality of the supervision of residents and medical
students. This study is one step in helping to build a broad base
of theoretical knowledge informed by practical experiences on
site visits.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the busy preceptors who
generously gave their time to participate in this study to im-
prove the site visit program.
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