Observership Program

Explore concierge medicine firsthand with A Personal Physician, an immersive observer experience for students and early-career professionals passionate about healthcare.

Program Overview

As a medical observer at A Personal Physician, a premier concierge medicine and executive medicine clinic in Encinitas, California, you would immerse yourself in a structured educational environment designed to foster deep understanding and practical skills in internal medicine.

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity is particularly tailored for college students exploring healthcare careers or early-career professionals seeking to refine their knowledge for medical school clinicals, standardized tests, or board certifications. Our clinic emphasizes personalized, high-quality care, where physicians deliver comprehensive services to a select patient base, including executive health assessments, preventive strategies, and enhanced accessibility elements that distinguish concierge medicine from traditional practices.

A diverse group of healthcare professionals wearing masks, with a woman nurse or doctor in the foreground holding a notebook and pen.

Daily Didactic Sessions

Each day begins with didactic sessions led by experienced internists, such as Dr. Brar, who present core topics in internal medicine, ranging from cardiovascular and endocrine disorders to geriatric care and chronic disease management. These lectures are interactive, incorporating real-world case studies drawn from our patient encounters, ensuring relevance and immediacy.

Group of healthcare professionals, including a woman in blue scrubs, engaged in a discussion in a medical office or hospital setting.

Interactive Case Discussions

Following the didactics, dedicated question-and-answer sessions allow observers to clarify concepts, probe diagnostic reasoning, and discuss ethical considerations in concierge medicine settings. This format encourages active participation, transforming passive learning into a collaborative dialogue that sharpens critical thinking.

Two scientists in a laboratory, one woman wearing safety goggles and a teal lab coat, and one man in a white lab coat, working together on an experiment.

Clinical Observation Rotations

The heart of the experience lies in observational rotations within our clinic and affiliated skilled facilities. You would shadow physicians during patient consultations, witnessing the nuances of history-taking, physical examinations, and treatment planning in a concierge medicine model that prioritizes unhurried, holistic interactions.

Close-up of a healthcare worker wearing a blue glove holding a patient's hand for a handshake.

Hands-On Exposure

For instance, observe how personalized care plans integrate advanced diagnostics, lifestyle interventions, and coordination with specialists, all while maintaining patient confidentiality and HIPAA compliance. This hands-on exposure extends to procedures like interpreting lab results, managing polypharmacy, and addressing multimorbidity, skills essential for competency in internal medicine.

Two healthcare professionals wearing face masks, face shields, and white coats sitting at a table with documents and a hand sanitizer bottle, working together.

Focused Reading & Assignments

To consolidate your learning, each observation day concludes with focused readings curated to align with your personal goals. College students might delve into foundational texts on human physiology or introductory internal medicine resources to build a strong pre-medical foundation. Medical school aspirants preparing for clinical rotations could engage with case-based literature emphasizing differential diagnoses and evidence-based guidelines. Those gearing up for exams, such as the USMLE or board certifications, would receive targeted assignments on high-yield topics, supplemented by review questions to reinforce retention.

Two scientists, a man and a woman, in lab coats looking at a tablet in a laboratory.

Mentorship & Flexibility

What makes this observership appealing is its flexibility and mentorship-driven approach. Tailored to your stage, whether broadening horizons as an undergraduate or honing expertise early in your career, our program equips you with competencies that extend beyond textbooks.

Medical professionals, including a male doctor and two female nurses, examining an iPad together in a hospital setting.

Outcomes & Benefits

You gain insights into the concierge medicine model’s emphasis on preventive medicine and patient empowerment, fostering a sense of professional fulfillment. Participants often report enhanced confidence, networking opportunities with seasoned clinicians, and a clearer path toward their aspirations.

Two healthcare professionals, a woman and a man in a lab coat, discussing medical images on a laptop in a bright medical office.

Tasks & Responsibilities

  • See and take care of a patient under supervision solely for the purpose of educating the Observer.

  • Room a patient and take vital signs after many observations, with the provider and permission from the patient.

  • Go over scribed notes with a provider.

  • Scribe with the provider for practice with patient permission.

Apply now