Medical learner perspectives on elements of an educational rural generalist pathway: survey outcomes

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine University (NOSM U) continues to be challenged in meeting its social accountability mandate of addressing the rural health human resource crises in its catchment of Northern Ontario. Its new educational initiative, the Rural Generalist Pathway (RGP) aims to graduate family physicians specifically prepared for rural practice. This study elicits the perspective of NOSM U learners on the various components being considered for this educational pathway.

A mixed methods survey was created for each of two medical learner groups, undergraduate NOSM U students and its family medicine residents. Quantitative data was analyzed for frequencies and percentages and qualitative data underwent thematic analysis.

With a response rate of 24.6% for undergraduates and 37.9% for residents, the survey discovered undergraduates consider rural clinical rotations as the most valuable experiences in rural medicine. Among the findings, both the majority of medical students and residents (87.3% and 87.9% respectively) agreed that support for a resident's family well-being and community integration was the element of the pathway most likely to influence them in pursuing the RGP. Mentorship by a practicing rural physician was an element highly supported by 81% of undergraduate and 81.8% of postgraduate learners as likely to influence them to take the RGP.

Incorporating learner perceptions into the development of the RGP could help focus institutional resources and enhance learner participation in this pathway, producing more rural family doctors to serve Northern Ontario.