GIMSPP stands for General Internal Medicine Statewide Preceptorship Program. By working with an assigned physician, students will gain insight into the rewards of a practice in internal medicine, and observe how a clinician functions as a member of his or her medical and non-medical community. GIMSPP staff work to place medical students with internists across the state for two, three, or four week preceptorships during the student's summer break. Although the preceptorship experience differs for every student, the objectives are designed so that each student will receive a well-rounded experience. The program’s emphasis is to familiarize medical students with the operation of a clinical practice and allow them to experience the full range of activities in the life of a General Internist. During this preceptorship students can develop skills in history taking, physical examination, early diagnosis, and treatment plan formulation, among others. 

First- and second-year students enrolled in a Texas medical school are eligible to participate, if they have not participated in GIMSPP previously. 

Student FAQ

 
Applications are open January 15 - February 28. Matches are processed on a first-come-first-serve basis and on the availability of our preceptors.
First- or second-year medical students currently enrolled in a Texas Medical School who has not participated in GIMSPP previously is eligible to participate.
Preceptorships are two (2), three (3), or four (4) consecutive week rotations with the same preceptor. If you do not have consecutive weeks available, please indicate this in the "Special Request" section of the application. We will reach out to discuss your specific situation.
 

The specific schedule you will be working vary by preceptor. You will be working with and following a physician’s schedule. Some of GIMSPP preceptors may be a private practice who work 8:00am-5:00pm with every other Friday off. Others may be hospitalists with a 3-days-on-3-days-off schedule. Still others may be 14-hour days - half spent at a private practice, half at a hospital. GIMSPP designed for you to get a very real feel for what practicing Internal Medicine is like. And the truth is, it varies!

If you are trying to participate in GIMSPP and need your schedule worked around a job or other events, you may find it challenging to meet the hours required by your preceptor. If you have limitations on your schedule, please let us know on your application so we can do our best to accommodate your needs.

Matching begins March 1st.
 
  1. Your coordinator will gather a list of potential matches based on your preferences and contact them to inquire about your requested dates.
  2. Once we receive approval from the physician, you will receive a Match Confirmation Email. This email will include the selected preceptor’s name and location for you to approve.
  3. Once you confirm the match, a Finalization Email will be sent to you and the preceptor to exchange contact information and give you next steps.
  4. Reach out to your preceptor and/or their staff find out your schedule, any paperwork and training requirements, and get to just know your preceptor!

Important: You MUST reply to the match confirmation email to confirm your match. If you think you are missing emails from GIMSPP, check your spam folders, email us, and/or call us at 512.370.1463. If you fail to reply to the Match Confirmation Email by the deadline given in the email, your match will be re-assigned to someone else.

No. GIMSPP focuses General Internal Medicine. All of our volunteer preceptors practice at least 40% general internal medicine, apart from any subspecialty. We will not honor placement based on requests for a subspecialty.
Matching begins in March 1st and run through the end of the summer. You will start receiving status updates March 1, regardless of match status. If you think you're missing emails from GIMSPP, check your spam folders, email us, and/or call us at 512.370.1463.
Reach out to your preceptor and their office staff as soon as your match is confirmed to check. Depending on where you are placed, there can be up to 8 weeks of paperwork and/or training needed prior to starting. Do not wait to find out. It is your responsibility to complete the paperwork and/or training. Not doing so may result in the termination of your preceptorship.

If you have difficulties contacting your preceptor or their staff, please reach out to Katherine Peacock, GIMSPP Manager, for assistance.
Not a problem! If you have changes to your application, please email us so we can update your application.

If you have not been matched, contact the GIMSPP office to alert them to your cancellation so that application processing may be halted.

If you have already been matched, you must contact the GIMSPP office and your assigned preceptor.

It is generally up to the student to find housing in the location of their preceptorship. As examples, past students who had match to rural locations found an Air BnB, stayed with local-area friends and family, or rented at hotel.
No. The Texas Chapter of the ACP policy is to not share member lists or contact information without permission.

If you are a member of ACP, you can login to your MyACP portal and use the member directory as a starting point to recruit your own preceptor.
 
Student Membership with ACP is free. If you are interested in recruiting your own preceptor, this is a great starting point!
It is encouraged! Recruiting your own preceptor allows you more control over the location of your preceptorship and expedites your GIMSPP match timeline. If you know an eligible internist who you want to work with, simply let the GIMSPP office know on the application.
The process once you have applied:
  • GIMSPP staff will reach out to the preceptor to confirm their participation.
  • Once we receive approval from the physician, you will receive a Match Confirmation Email. This email will include the selected preceptor’s name and location for you to approve.
  • Once you confirm the match, a Finalization Email will be sent to you and the preceptor to exchange contact information and give you next steps.
  • Reach out to your preceptor and/or their staff find out your schedule, any paperwork and training requirements, and get to just know your preceptor!
It depends. Please check with your school for more information. If you are unsure who to contact, we recommend starting with the faculty advisor for your I.M. student interest group or an academic advisor.
No. By participating in GIMSPP you are not committing to internal medicine, but you are committing to expanding your medical
horizons!
 
Below you will find the 2020 living stipend amounts for 4-week rotations. Living stipends are pro-rated for shorter programs, subject to change, and are not guaranteed.
  • 4-week Urban Preceptorship - $3,000
  • 4-week Urban Preceptorship in a MUA/HPSA area - $5,000
  • 4-week Rural Preceptorship - $5,000

Tips , Tricks, and Things to Know

  • The more flexible your dates and locations, the easier it is for a match! We rely on volunteer preceptors and we work within their availability. We recommend listing the widest possible known availability at the time of application - you can always adjust your preferences later!
  • We do not match based on subspecialty requests. All of our volunteer preceptors practice at least 40% general internal medicine. We do not accommodate requests for placement in particular subspecialty.
  • Make sure the email given is one you check regularly! GIMSPP communicates primarily via email. A good email address is critical to not missing information about your match!
  • Review the GIMSPP and COVID-19 page
  • If you have changes to your application, please email us right away.