Teaching learners in clinical sites is exciting, rewarding and can be time consuming. Site preparation and learner orientation facilitates a quicker transition in allowing the learner to become a member of the medical team. Studies show that without orientation, learners take about 2 weeks to work out how to function. Investing in a brief orientation can prevent frustrations, inefficiencies and inaccurate assumptions – for the preceptor, the learner, patients, and staff - while establishing a strong relationship to promote learner growth.

This faculty development tool is divided in 4 sections: (1) Staff - Pre-Learner Arrival; (2) Facilities; (3) Preceptor Readiness to Teach; (4) Orienting the Learner including introductions, focus, plan for experience/rotation, responsibility for learning, feedback, and professionalism. Response has been overwhelmingly positive to this evidence-based, updated edition and it is included in mailings to all preceptors when a learner is assigned.