To effectively navigate the evolving health care landscape, future physicians need to understand the terrain. That’s where the AMA Navigating Practice Learning Series comes in.
A curated collection of five online courses prepares medical students for the complexities of modern practice management. By combining essential topics into one learning experience, this members-only series—offered via the AMA Ed Hub™—helps learners connect the dots between clinical work and the operational realities of running a health care practice.
This practice management series is part of an online learning resource for institutions called the AMA UME Curricular Enrichment Program, which features a robust library of interactive, e-learning modules developed with a micro-learning approach.
Through the AMA UME Curricular Enrichment Program, educators from subscribing medical schools can assign specific elements such as health care business fundamentals and developing leadership skills and receive reports on student progress, track via dashboard, send reminder emails and customize reports. Request a demo.
Through the AMA Navigating Practice Learning Series, students gain insights into how different roles and systems within a practice contribute to overall success. They also develop key skills in areas such as appointment scheduling, staff analysis and workflow efficiency—competencies that are critical for managing day-to-day operations. Additionally, the series enhances career readiness by addressing foundational topics like billing, payment systems and administrative functions, giving future physicians a clearer picture of what it takes to deliver high-quality care within a sustainable business model.
Connecting care to operations
Through the series, students gain insights into how different roles and systems within a practice contribute to overall success. The series is broken into five separate courses.
“Navigating Practice Overview (Part 1)”
How does practice management vary across health care settings? This module takes an in-depth look at that question, from large systems to independent practices. Learners are introduced to the seven core domains of practice management—general management, operations, HR, finance, IT, risk management and marketing—laying the groundwork for understanding how organizations function beyond clinical care.
“Navigating Practice Overview (Part 2)”
Nonclinical functions such as operations and finance can play a key role in shaping the success of a medical practice. In this course, learners examine key performance metrics that can belie a thriving medical practice and get insight on how core clerkship rotations can expose students to different areas of practice management.
“Introduction to Practice Management”
Giving medical students a foundational understanding of the business side of medicine, this course explores how appointment scheduling, billing and performance reporting affect practice operations. The course also delves into strategies for organizing patient data and how key metrics can drive efficiency and improve outcomes across diverse health care settings.
“Introduction to Operations Management”
Oftentimes, it’s the behind-the-scenes systems that keep a medical practice running smoothly. This course offers learners a view of how staffing levels, scheduling strategies and patient communication shape the care experience. The course also highlights how administrative processes and patient flow influence outcomes.
“Basic Principles of Medical Billing and the Revenue Cycle”
A key grasp of the principles of medical billing and the revenue cycle are necessary for a strong understanding of the business of medicine. This course gives learners an understanding of the importance of accurate coding and its role in supporting compliance and communication, as well as an understanding of payer types and key terminology.
Demonstrable growth
Completing all five modules in the AMA Navigating Practice Learning Series not only equips medical students with a well-rounded understanding of the business of medicine, it also offers a new way to showcase that knowledge. In response to student feedback, learners who finish the full series are now eligible to earn a Curriculum Certificate—a tangible recognition of their commitment to professional development and readiness to navigate the non-clinical complexities of modern practice.
Nonsubscribing medical schools can find out how to give their students and faculty access to the AMA UME Curricular Enrichment Program.
The AMA Succeeding in Medical School series offers tips and other guidance on a wide range of critical topics, including preparing for the USMLE and COMLEX exams, navigating clinical rotations, publishing scientific research, and maintaining optimal health and wellness.
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