Can AHES really influence the distribution of physicians?
In this report the author considers the potential of the "Area Health Education System" (AHES) to influence physician distribution, as reflected by a "core" surgical experience in a remote site of approximately 20,000 population. Although the long-term effects can only be theorized, the effectiveness of the undergraduate education process in a first-exposure situation discloses only slight advantage as measured on written examination for the student who remains in the university setting. Moreover, some favorable attitudinal alterations were noted among participants in AHES.
D001113:Area Health Education Centers; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005180:Faculty, Medical; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007629:Kentucky; D010820:Physicians / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D012576:Schools, Health Occupations