This is an interesting thread- my small group was just pondering the other day what clinical exposures other people had in the first two years.
As M1s, we spent a block on learning to do histories, a block on physical exam, and a block on histories in special situations (substance abuse, domestic violence, child abuse). All of those involve some SP experiences. For 3 of our 4 blocks, we were assigned to a different preceptor and had to attend 3 4-hour clinics in that block. One block was with primary care, one with a specialty, and the last was whatever they assigned you to. Precepting varied from "just got to watch" to "did the entire history and reported to the attending" to "worked in urology clinic and got my mandatory DRE experience out of the way. poor old dude- had no clue when he woke up in the morning..".
M2 year, that precepting is available again for the last three blocks, but it's optional. However, student picks the specialties this time around. We are also split into groups of 4 and assigned 2 Medicine preceptors to help us work on our H&Ps. By the time we finish our May exams, we'll have performed 6 full H&Ps complete with presentation to attending and full write-up.
Plus, we have a student run free clinic for uninsured people in the community that runs once a week. M1s/M2s do the interviewing and assist M3s/M4s with the PE, with residents and attendings overseeing. Pretty cool.
