Just what are rural premedical students thinking? A report of the first 6 years of a pathways program

To assess outcomes of the first 6 years of a program designed to facilitate medical school admission for rural premedical students.

Students completing the University of Louisville School of Medicine Trover Rural Scholar program were surveyed using a 23-item survey.

Twenty-two of the 24 (92%) students responded. Overall, 12 (55%) were in the physician pipeline (medical students or re-applying to medical school) and 10 (45%) had left the physician pipeline for other careers (7 were pursuing other health care careers). Differences between the 2 groups included income expectations and perceptions of intellectual challenges and physicians' job satisfaction.

Attrition can be explained by student interests, maturation and influences of pre-professional advisors and practicing physicians. Successful pipeline programs should address these issues.