title: Mercer University School of Medicine: a successful approach to primary care medical education.
abstract: Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon, Ga, is the nation's youngest medical school. It has been training physicians since 1982, with an emphasis on meeting the health care needs of rural and other underserved areas of Georgia. Ninety-six (32%) of Mercer's 303 graduates through 1995 have chosen residency training in family practice, and 63% of graduates are entering one of the traditional primary care residencies. Additionally, the practice rates for 151 graduates from the classes of 1986-1991 are comparable at 36% for family practice and 64% for the primary care specialties. This paper presents information about the career choices of graduates from this medical school and discusses aspects of the admission policies and medical school curriculum that may have contributed to Mercer's success in graduating large percentages of students who ultimately practice primary care medicine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Ackermann
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Comeau
mesh_terms: D002321:Career Choice; D003153:Community Health Services; D003479:Curriculum; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000379:methods*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education; D005845:Georgia; D011320:Primary Health Care; D019035:Rural Health Services; D012570:School Admission Criteria; D012577:Schools, Medical