Outcomes of rural training tracks: a review.
Rural training tracks (RTTs) have developed as a strategy to encourage family medicine resident entrance into rural practice. Because most programs are small (two to four residents), data must be aggregated to determine RTT impact on practice preparation and location. Several studies over the last decade reveal that 76 percent of RTT graduates are practicing in rural America and that graduates describe themselves as prepared for rural practice. Sixty-five percent are providing obstetrical services, and half are performing cesarean sections. From 1989 to 1999, there were a total of 107 graduates of rural training programs, making it unlikely that, without significant investment, this model could supply an adequate quantity of family physicians for rural America.
Rosenthal
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Department of Family Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo, 462 Grider Street, Buffalo, NY 14215, USA. trosenth@acsu.buffalo.edu
D002321:Career Choice; D003625:Data Collection; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D017145:Models, Educational; D010816:Physician Incentive Plans; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D011365:Professional Practice Location / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D019035:Rural Health Services; D014146:Training Support; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce