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Rural residency tracks in family practice: graduate outcomes
T C Rosenthal1, M H McGuigan, G Anderson
1Department of Family Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo, USA. trosenth@acsu.buffalo.edu
Family Medicine
|March 22, 2000
Summary
Most graduates of rural residency tracks successfully practice in rural communities, providing essential services like labor and delivery. Their practice location decisions are influenced by factors such as hometown proximity and training site location.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Rural Health
- Family Medicine
Background:
- Physician distribution in rural areas remains a challenge.
- Rural residency tracks aim to integrate physicians into rural practice models.
- Training involves an urban-based initial year followed by two years in a rural setting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the practice locations and services provided by graduates of rural family practice residency tracks.
- To identify factors influencing the practice location decisions of these graduates.
Main Methods:
- A survey was distributed to all 77 graduates from 13 national rural training tracks (1988-1997).
- A response rate of 83% (n=64) was achieved.
Main Results:
- 76% of respondents practice rurally, with 61% in Health Professional Shortage Areas.
- Significant service provision includes hospital admissions (69%), labor and delivery (67%), and Cesarean sections (48%).
- Practice location was influenced by existing physician groups, hometown proximity (39%), and residency training site proximity (45%).
Conclusions:
- Graduates of rural training tracks predominantly practice in rural settings and offer key obstetrical services.
- Physician group influence, proximity to hometowns, and training site location are significant factors in practice site selection.