The rural rotation in a medical technology program: a ten-year retrospective study.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the effectiveness of a rural rotation as a tool to recruit medical technology program graduates to medically underserved areas.


METHODS
A paper survey was distributed to all 1994 - 2003 graduates of the West Virginia University Medical Technology Program.


METHODS
The survey was mailed to the graduates' homes.


METHODS
Ninety-four of the two hundred six surveys were returned for a response rate of 45.6%.


METHODS
Surveys were mailed in January 2004.


METHODS
Responses to questions regarding choice of site for rural rotation, whether or not a job was offered at the rural site, and whether the graduate subsequently worked at a rural site were tabulated. Responses to questions concerning whether the rotation helped the respondent to appreciate the needs of rural health facilities and whether the rotation resulted in a greater interest in working in a rural area were tabulated. Responses were also tabulated for questions about the value of the rural rotation to the respondent's education and whether the rural rotation was recommended for future students.


RESULTS
Of respondents, 70.2% chose their rural rotation sites due to proximity to their homes and 38.3% were offered jobs at their rural rotation sites. 50% of all respondents subsequently worked at a rural site. Of respondents, 73.4% indicated strong agreement that the rotation helped them appreciate the needs of the rural facility, and 37.2% indicated agreement with becoming more interested in working at a rural site. Of respondents, 65% indicated that the rural rotation was beneficial and that they would recommend it to future students.


CONCLUSIONS
Results of the survey suggest that a prior rural affinity is a factor associated with selection of rural sites for medical technology program graduates. The survey results also suggest that a rural rotation during medical technology education is beneficial to individuals, including those who elect not to go to rural sites after graduation.


BACKGROUND
Health professions shortage areas (HPSAs) nurse practitioners (NP) medically underserved areas (MUAs) West Virginia Rural Health Education Partnerships (WVRHEP).
Kirby
Beverly A
BA
Medical Technology Program, West Virginia University, 2163 Health Sciences North, P.O. Box 9211, Morgantown, WV 26506-9211, USA. bkirby@hsc.wvu.edu
D006801:Humans; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019035:Rural Health Services; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D014903:West Virginia