Operational Guidelines

Equivalent of X months full-time 
Someone working less than full-time must work at least half-time, i.e., 20 hours/week, and may take twice as long as stipulated in the individual's contract to complete service payback.

Definition of Primary Care: 
Primary Care is defined as General Pediatrics, General Internal Medicine, Family Medicine/Family Practice or OB/GYN. Primary Care is considered an out-patient service (ambulatory), taking care of the overall health and well-being of the patient. Criteria of Primary Care include all of the list below:

• First Contact, the first provider the patient contacts for episodes of illness or health concerns.
• Continuity, seeing patients regularly over time for a large portion of the patient's health encounters, providing longitudinal, rather than horizontal care.
• Comprehensiveness, cares for most of the patient's health problems.
• Coordination, arranges for referrals, tests and procedures and collates results.
• Monitors and enhances patient compliance with medical advice for the life of the patient.
• Is community-based.

Under-served 
Physicians (graduates) should understand that any request for service payback in an under-served category may require extensive review by the Learning Contract Advisory Group (LCAG) before any determination of eligibility may be made. The time required for such a review must be taken into account by the graduate. The graduate must present an acceptable rationale for UMass Chan to agree employment be deemed to serve the under-served of the Commonwealth.

The LCAG is presently undertaking a review of the under-served guidelines that reflect more current specialty practice trends in the Commonwealth.

Public & Community Service 
Physicians (graduates) should understand that any request for service payback in a Public and Community Service category may require extensive review by the LCAG before any determination of eligibility may be made. The time required for such a review must be taken into account by the graduate. The graduate must present an acceptable rationale for UMass Chan to agree employment be deemed to provide public or community service.