When Shea Claflin, MD, a resident in the primary care track of the University of Colorado Internal Medicine Residency Training Program, reflects on the proudest moments of his medical career so far, it’s not the academic accomplishments that come to mind. It’s the hug that he now routinely gets from one of his patients at the end of each visit — a token of the connection they have built during his clinical training.
“Seeing patients in a longitudinal setting and building that relationship and trust with them, it’s a really fulfilling experience to have,” says Claflin, a CU School of Medicine alumnus. “Knowing that someone trusts in me to help out with their well-being — that’s a pretty special feeling.”
It’s the opportunity to build meaningful, long-term relationships with patients that drew him to primary care — a field that faces a growing need for more physicians like Claflin. The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis projects there will be a shortage of 87,150 primary care physicians by 2037.
The CU primary care residency track aims to boost the number of primary care physicians through its training program, teaching the upcoming generation of doctors how to deliver exceptional care to a diverse array of patient populations. Each year, the track welcomes nine residents, who are part of the overall CU Internal Medicine Residency Training Program, for a three-year program that includes training in geriatric care, women’s health, neurology, urgent care, and more.
Now in his second year, Claflin says the primary care track was one of the main reasons he wanted to pursue his residency at CU.
“The residency program has been everything I could have hoped for. The level of training we get, both in inpatient and outpatient settings, is among the best,” he says. “Within the primary care track, the level of community we have is unrivaled, and through getting these additional experiences and teachings, I know I’m going to come out of this better equipped to be a holistic doctor.”
Shea Claflin smiles with his family in Cañon City, Colorado. Image courtesy of Claflin.
Blending passions
Growing up in Cañon City, a smaller town that is a roughly two-hour drive south of Denver, Claflin values a close-knit community. His family has lived in Fremont County for four generations, where his father works as an optometrist.
“I saw my dad serve a community where he knows everybody, and seeing those close ties he has with people was really inspiring for me,” Claflin says. “I always knew I either wanted to teach or go into health care.”
Uncertain which path to take between medicine and education, Claflin pursued a biology degree at the University of Denver. While there, he began having more experiences in health care, such as volunteering at the DAWN Clinic, a free, multidisciplinary clinic staffed by CU students and faculty that offers medical care to uninsured adults living in Aurora.
“That’s where I realized that, in the medical setting, I can serve a lot of roles. I can have an opportunity to build that teacher-learner relationship and also take care of people,” he says.
With this realization, Claflin decided to pursue medical school, and he was thrilled at the opportunity to join the CU School of Medicine in 2019. The most formative experience Claflin had as a medical student was participating in the school’s rural program, where students gain clinical experience in a rural Colorado community. For six months, Claflin stayed in Salida, home to less than 6,000 residents. He spent a lot of time with a family medicine practice where providers cared for their patients not only in the primary care setting, but also when the patients were admitted to the hospital.
“I thought that was a really unique relationship, where you can provide care across the entire spectrum of that patient's life. That's what inspired me to apply to the primary care track here at CU, so I could get that additional training in the primary care setting and also have the chance to take care of people in the inpatient setting,” Claflin says.
Shea Claflin smiles with his family on his graduation day from the CU School of Medicine. Image courtesy of Claflin.
Becoming an exceptional primary care physician
Residents in the CU Internal Medicine Residency Program are able to train across a variety of clinical sites, including the University of Colorado Hospital, Denver Health, and the Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Those in the primary care track also rotate through Denver Health’s primary care continuity clinics — one of the many special attributes of the track.
“Training at multiple sites is very valuable, and the fact that we get to care for a variety of patients, including vulnerable populations, is unique,” Claflin says. “Here, there is a special emphasis on meeting the needs of a diverse population of patients, including those who are underserved. That was important to me.”
Claflin, who began the residency program in 2023, is now a second-year resident working at Denver Health’s Bernard F. Gipson Sr. Eastside Family Health Center.
“I’m getting more follow-up visits from patients who I’ve established a relationship with. That’s been the rewarding piece of going into primary care — developing those relationships, getting to know my patients, and seeing their progress over time,” he says.
One of the best aspects of training in the primary care track is that Claflin is able to have a certain level of autonomy, allowing him to build confidence in his ability to make his own decisions while also having guidance from mentors who push him to think about the complexities of patient care.
“As I progress further into my residency, I’ve learned more about the nuance that exists in medicine, as there is not always a clear right or wrong answer,” he says. “A lot of times, it comes down to knowing your patient, knowing their circumstances, and putting together a plan that will best set them up for success in the long run.”
As part of their training, second-year medical residents in the primary care track are required to select one of the following pathways to further develop their skills: health equity, research, medical education, global health, or the medical leaders program. Wanting to continue applying his passion for teaching, Claflin chose the medical education pathway. It has connected him to more near-peer teaching opportunities with other residents and medical students, allowing him to grow as an educator while also continuing to learn from his mentors.
“During residency, you are figuring out the kind of person and doctor you want to be. I’m surrounded by so many faculty who I look up to, and having their support is amazing,” he says. “It’s an environment where I’m not afraid to ask questions, but at the same time, it’s a program that gives you autonomy to make decisions on how to best care for your patients.”
Claflin is also working on a project to help improve training in ambulatory care (meaning care that is delivered outside of the hospital) for residents.
“In our residency program, we have a resident ambulatory preceptor program where third-year residents act as a preceptor for first-year residents. This is unique because, historically, internal medicine training would emphasize inpatient care, and outpatient primary care came as a secondary thought,” Claflin says.
“I’m working on a project where we’re surveying the residents to get their thoughts on that preceptor experience. And hopefully, we can be at the forefront of making sure that ambulatory training is more prevalent in programs across the nation,” he adds.
Promoting the profession
Considering the challenges that face the primary care field, including projected staff shortages, Claflin hopes to raise awareness of the versatility and value of primary care providers.
“I want people to realize that primary care doctors are excellent doctors as well. The breadth of knowledge they need to address their patients’ needs and elevate their care is remarkable,” he says. “Medicine is an ever-changing landscape, and in internal medicine, we have to stay up to date on the most recent evidence. Having a growth mindset and maintaining that skill set throughout your career is a must.”
Primary care physicians not only serve the role of a doctor; they are also health care coordinators and advocates for their patients, Claflin explains.
“You’re the first point of contact for patients, and a lot of times, you’re the provider who patients trust the most because of the relationship you’ve built with them,” he adds. “Getting everyone to recognize the importance of playing that role in a patient's care is crucial.”
He also wants people to recognize “that becoming a primary care physician does not mean you can’t be an expert in anything.”
“For instance, in our primary care track, residents will study a specific area of patient care that’s of interest to them, such as learning to care for patients with HIV, LGBTQ+ communities, older adults, or other vulnerable populations,” he says. “We have a unique opportunity to learn to be great medical generalists, but we also have the chance to dive into specific clinical settings we are passionate about.”
For those who are interested in a career in medicine, Claflin advises they keep in mind that “there is no right way to get from point A to point B,” explaining that additional, unexpected life experiences can help people find their passion and get to where they want to be.
“I also think it’s important to tie where you come from into the person you want to be and the doctor you want to be. Your background shapes the care that you provide for your patients,” he says.
It’s Claflin’s background of growing up in Cañon City, admiring the way his father helped community members as an optometrist, that has influenced his future career goals.
“I’d like to incorporate both ambulatory and hospital care into my medical career, and having medical education involved in my practice will be something that keeps me excited to keep getting better myself,” he says. “And eventually, I would like to move somewhere rural in Colorado and be that health care provider in the community who people can rely on, and to build those relationships that are central to keeping a person healthy.”
Photo at top: Shea Claflin, right, smiles alongside Mark Deutchman, MD, the associate dean for rural health and director of the CU School of Medicine's Rural Track, on the day of Claflin's graduation from the CU School of Medicine. Image courtesy of Claflin.
