The myth of professional isolation among physicians in nonurban areas

Forty-six physicians practicing in nonurban areas of California were interviewed. A majority reported that they rarely or never felt professionally isolated. Measures describing the current community and professional activities were not found to predict feeling of professional isolation. The only background variable found to be significantly related to feelings of professional isolation was mean rating by admissions interviewers. It was concluded that applicants with high ratings were more likely to acquire a strongly academic, research view of medicine and, as a result, to feel professionally isolated when practicing in nonurban areas.