Rural Observation Experience

The Rural Observation Experience (ROE), coordinated by the Rural Physician Associate Program, is a two or three day opportunity to shadow a rural family physician and see first-hand the rewards and challenges of rural medicine.

ROE is open to any incoming first- and second-year medical student at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Twin Cities campus. There are no prerequisites for participation.

An orientation session is held on campus prior to students departing on the ROE.  A follow-up session is scheduled a couple of months after the start of classes. 

Students arrange their own transportation to and from the ROE site. Students often stay with the physician and and his or her family during the shadowing experience. If the student doesn't stay with the host physician, other arrangements are generally made for the student to stay at the hospital or in a local motel.

Students coordinate visit dates with the physician/site they are matched to. The ROE visit can take place at any time during the scheduled dates. The dates for the 2008 ROE will be between July 23-August 3. There will be a brief orientation for participants to be held on Monday, July 21, 2008 on campus.