At this level, the University and the community-involved program/organization share clinical, educational and research interests as a basis for cooperation. At the University level, the affiliation is coordinated in order to facilitate dialogue between the Faculty and the community so that relevant community needs and issues in clinical services, medical education and research could be identified. At an operational level, the cooperation is expressed as a relationship between the University’s program education coordinator (University Department based) and a hospital-based/or placement site-based education supervisor. The Department Chair participates in recommending University appointment for clinical teachers and in providing oversight to the overall teaching program.

The clinical affiliation agreement has the effect of bringing the expertise and services of a major teaching hospital to a local community. The affiliation between a community hospital and a teaching hospital assures that new quality clinical programs will be available locally. The affiliation may operate joint clinical programs using resources from both institutions to bring new and expanded high quality services to the affiliated program and its surrounding towns.

The affiliation is based on community service activities which include community training and technical assistance for or with individuals, family members, professionals and paraprofessional, students and volunteers. In addition, FM/AUBMC encourages cooperation with national universities for mutual benefits in education, research and clinical services.