Second Medex Class

A second class of 24 physicians' assistants-in-training has begun classroom study at the Dartmouth Medical School under the Medex program inaugurated last year.

The program, aimed at extending health care in rural areas through the use of trained para-medical personnel, consists of three months in the classroom and a further period of field work, when the trainee works as part of a two-man team with a physician-preceptor. The extent of the field work, a full year for the first class, has been cut to nine months. The longer period was found to be more than necessary.

The new Medex class is substantially different from the first. Whereas the earlier class, which is now completing training under general practitioners in rural areas, was composed entirely of veterans, the new class includes 19 former Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard medics and five civilians, three of whom are women.

The second Medex class was chosen from among more than 600 applicants. The general practitioners who are now acting as preceptors are enthusiastic about the program, and some specialists have indicated interest.

The program at the Dartmouth Medical School, sponsored jointly with the New Hampshire Medical Society, was the second in the country. Originated in the Northwest, Medex programs have since been instituted in many areas.