Primary Accelerated Continuity Care Experience (PACCE)
Research shows that improved health care outcomes and reduced costs in the United States are strongly linked to the availability of primary care physicians. The need for primary care physicians is greater now as our health care system continues to evolve. Family doctors take care of children and adults and like pediatricians, physicians in both disciplines address acute problems, chronic illness, prevention and more. Pediatricians and family doctors develop lasting relationships with their patients and play essential roles in providing primary care to the community.
Taking the lead to meet this demand, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School offers a three-year accelerated primary care track - the Primary Accelerated Continuity Care Experience (PACCE). After successfully completing this three-year curriculum, students will be positions to match into one of the RWJMS affiliated Family Medicine or Pediatrics Residency programs.
This track includes early clinical experiences in family medicine or pediatrics during the pre-clerkship phase of the curriculum and longitudinal primary care experiences during the clerkship phase. Students are engaged in clinical learning and receive mentoring by faculty and residents beginning in their first year at RWJMS.
Applicants are asked to denote interest in the PACCE Accelerated Track in the RWJMS secondary application. Interest, or lack thereof, does not impact the holistic review of the application or bear any significance on admissions decisions. Interested applicants offered acceptance to RWJMS will have the opportunity to apply for PACCE in the spring, and will receive a notification of decision prior to the plan to enroll date.
What distinguishes the PACCE 3-year track from the regular medical school curriculum:
- PACCE students begin immersive experiences with either the Family Medicine or Pediatrics residencies during their pre-clerkship years.
- PACCE students complete a 5-week clinical program the summer between their first and second year of medical school.
- The clerkship year includes shortened inpatient clerkships, all required fourth year experiences, longitudinal ambulatory (out-patient) experiences in family medicine, pediatrics and other disciplines laying a foundation for primary care practice.
- PACCE students can revert to a 4-year curriculum at any time during the three years.
How does the 3-year track compare to the regular curriculum?
How does PACCE prepare learners for primary care?
- PACCE students begin seeing patients with family medicine or pediatrics residents and faculty during their M1 year. You’ll learn the skills needed to care for patients in primary care settings and begin to learn about commons problems in primary care.
- Students have the opportunity to follow individual patients over 1-2 years and help them navigate and coordinate their care.
- Longitudinal ambulatory (office-based) experiences in family medicine, pediatrics, surgery, obstetrics/gynecology, and psychiatry provide the opportunity to learn about common (and uncommon!) primary care presentations from faculty in various disciplines
- PACCE nurtures the passion to care for the “whole patient” and develop meaningful, continuity relationships with patients.
Participating Residencies –3 year residency programs
PACCE students, after meeting academic and professionalism requirements, are positioned to match into one of the following residencies through the National Resident Matching Program.