Doctors Back to School (DBTS)

The AAFP has adapted the AMA’s Doctors Back to School (DBTS) program to help encourage young people from underrepresented minority groups to consider family medicine as a career option. This program was created by the AMA’s Minority Affairs Section, whose main goal is to increase the number of minority physicians and eliminate minority health disparities. Since the program sends minority physicians into the community, it’s also a great way to introduce kids to professional role models.

DBTS sends physicians into their communities to accomplish two primary goals:

• To pique young minority students’ interest in family medicine by introducing them to “real-life” role models
• To raise awareness of the need for more minority physicians. 

Taking part in this project, which requires only a small amount of your time, could have lasting benefits for the life of a young person and our medical community. This tool kit provides all of the essentials you will need to participate in this program.

Need Presentation Resources?

Access several slide decks about family medicine to use in classroom presentations. These materials were developed for medical students, but may be edited by presenters to fit a younger audiences' needs. Browse the "Meet Family Medicine" and "Meet Family Physicians" slide decks for the basics.

Bring this pre-medical student tip sheet as a takeaway item to allow young students a glimpse into a future career in medicine and learn how to gain valuable shadowing experience.