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Increasing the Rural Physician Workforce: A Potential Role for Small Rural Medical School Campuses.

Increasing the Rural Physician Workforce: A Potential Role for Small Rural Medical School Campuses.

  • October 30, 2015
  • William J. Crump MD, R. Steve Fricker MPA, Craig H. Ziegler PhD, David L. Wiegman PhD
  • Article

To address physician maldistribution, some medical schools have rural-focused efforts. This study analyzed the impact of adding a rural clinical campus on rural practice choice, considering variables like rural upbringing, demographics, and family medicine residency. Data from graduates (2001-2008) showed that rural upbringing (OR = 2.67), family medicine residency (OR = 5.08), and full 2-year participation at the rural campus (OR = 5.46) were significantly associated with rural practice choice. The study concludes that rural campuses may enhance rural practice choice beyond known factors, and collaborative studies are needed to explore this further.

  • Source: The Journal of Rural Health

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