The requirements for the FMIG Funding Initiative are designed to be flexible to encourage creativity among FMIGs' programming, and to allow FMIGs to address the needs and interests of their unique school environments and communities. But, that doesn't mean you have to go it alone.
Presentation ideas and resources
Your Future is Family Medicine: Family medicine in a 28-slide PowerPoint nutshell. This presentation, a collaboration between several primary care organizations and societies, touches on all the main points in primary care, from the importance of primary care in an optimal health care system, to specifics on procedures a family physician can perform and a typical week for a family physician. In addition to the downloadable PowerPoint, you'll find speakers' notes, a handout, practical presentation tips for speaking to medical students and pre- and post-evaluation tools.
Patient-Centered Medical Home: The PCMH model of care revolves around the family physician, and because of that important role, is essential for medical students to understand. We can help you prepare for a presentation on this topic with a customizeable PowerPoint presentation on PCMH, speakers' notes, and a short video you can show your audience. We can also send you free handouts--just e-mail Ashley Bentley, AAFP Student Interest Communications Coordinator.
Community service or advocacy project ideas and resources
Advocacy project: Designing a project to advocate for family physicians, primary care or medical student education can be a unique undertaking for each FMIG. Use the AAFP's Legislative Action Center to find out what's going on in Washington, contact information for Congressmen and AAFP efforts you can be a part of. We also encourage you to contact your state Academy of Family Physicians chapter to discuss issues specific to your area and needs you can help address. (8-page PDF file, About PDFs)
Community service project: There are a number of community service programs already set up and ready for your participation, and these can be a great way to get your FMIG involved in your community, as well as get more students interested and involved in your FMIG!
- Tar Wars, a smoking cessation and prevention program from the AAFP;
- AIM HI!, an exercise and healthful lifestyle promotion program from the AAFP, or;
- Get ideas from the community service workshop presented by the FMIG Network Regional Coordinators at the 2011 National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students.
Collaboration ideas and resources
Make your project and impact as great as possible by collaboarating with another group. Some ideas for collaborations are:
- Student National Medical Association, which has programming to address smoking cessation and obesity similar to the AAFP's;
- American Medical Student Association, which celebrates Primary Care Week;
- Your state Academy of Family Physicians, which may be able to help coordinate speakers or help you host a clinical skills workshop (8-page PDF file, About PDFs);
- Another primary care interest group at your school;
- An FMIG at a neighboring college, or;
- Another school- or community-based organization that has overlapping goals and mission.
Contact your FMIG Network Regional Coordinator for help on collaborating with a school in your region, or for ideas on any of the above topics. The Regional Coordinators are medical students themselves and experienced leaders in their FMIGs and often have very helpful advice.
