Exploring Rural Medicine Residency Programs: A Narrative Review

The challenges of rural medicine are not unknown as access to healthcare is compounded by physician recruitment, specialty care, and resource availability. Rural populations across the US are in a constant struggle for proper medical care and preventive health. Despite research efforts to examine the practice of rural medicine, little has been shared about the role of medical education in overcoming the hurdles of rural medicine. A review of current literature is needed to better understand the current situation in rural medicine and how medical education can aid in addressing the challenges of rural medicine. This review aimed to understand the practice of rural medicine, identify measures taken to address the physician shortage nationally in rural communities, and emphasize the role of rural medicine residency programs and training programs in addressing the current situation. A review of the literature was carried out by searching several electronic databases, which included PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), JSTOR, PsycINFO, ERIC Database (via EBSCOhost), and Academic Search Complete. The search was conducted from January 27, 2022, to February 28, 2022, using Boolean operations and the following terms: rural, family practice, healthcare, residency program, medical resident, graduate medical education, Kansas, and Midwest. There were 23 relevant publications included in this review that explored the role of medical education, physician recruitment, and scope of practice in addressing the struggles of rural medicine. Rural medicine residency programs and targeted training play a crucial role in addressing the physician shortage in underserved areas. Future research should focus on thoroughly understanding rural communities' interactions with the healthcare system and increasing support for medical professionals in rural areas.