Retention rates and retention predictors among graduates of Army Family Practice residency programs

Accurate career retention rates for the 688 graduates of Army Family Practice residency programs over the period from 1973-1990 were determined by retrospective cohort analysis. Eight characteristics of these graduates were tested by chi-square analysis to determine if they had a predictive effect on retention: United States Military Academy attendance (USMA), Uniform Services University of the Health Science (USUHS) attendance, fellowship training, prior service, gender, first assignment, site of residency training, and spouse with history of active duty service. Overall retention was 21%. Significant predictors of retention at the p < 0.01 level (chi-square) were (1) USMA attendance, (2) USUHS attendance, (3) fellowship training, and (4) prior service. Gender, first assignment, and spouse history of active duty service were not factors. The 22% of the graduates who had at least one of the four positive predictors form two-thirds of the present career Family Physician force.