title: A study of the future practice location intent of family medicine residents in West Virginia.
abstract: Recruitment of graduating family medicine residents into practice in rural West Virginia has been hampered by many factors. A cross-sectional survey was done to obtain the opinions of family medicine residents in West Virginia in 1996 in order to characterize their perceptions regarding certain aspects of their rural training and the relative importance of various factors influencing their future practice location intent. There was a positive association between cumulative resident experience and intent to practice in West Virginia and in rural areas. Perceived preparation for rural practice varied with educational area. There was significant variation in the relative importance of recruiting factors for likelihood of practice in West Virginia and in rural areas. Some recruiting factors tended to be positive or negative discriminators for intent to practice in West Virginia and in rural areas. Enhanced recruitment may be aided by an active community involvement which addresses the identified relevant factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, USA.
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Shannon
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gunel
mesh_terms: D002755:Choice Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005194:Family Practice; D007396:Internship and Residency; D019035:Rural Health Services; D014903:West Virginia; D000078329:Workforce