Just what are rural premedical students thinking? A report of the first 6 years of a pathways program.
OBJECTIVE
To assess outcomes of the first 6 years of a program designed to facilitate medical school admission for rural premedical students.


METHODS
Students completing the University of Louisville School of Medicine Trover Rural Scholar program were surveyed using a 23-item survey.


RESULTS
Twenty-two of the 24 (92%) students responded. Overall, 12 (55%) were in the physician pipeline (medical students or re-applying to medical school) and 10 (45%) had left the physician pipeline for other careers (7 were pursuing other health care careers). Differences between the 2 groups included income expectations and perceptions of intellectual challenges and physicians' job satisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
Attrition can be explained by student interests, maturation and influences of pre-professional advisors and practicing physicians. Successful pipeline programs should address these issues.
Crump
William J
WJ
University of Louisville School of Medicine, Trover Campus, 200 Clinic Drive, Madisonville, KY 42431, USA. wcrump@trover.org
Fricker
R Steve
RS
Crump
Allison M
AM
D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007629:Kentucky; D008297:Male; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D015397:Program Evaluation; D019035:Rural Health Services; D013340:Students, Premedical; D013997:Time Factors; D000078329:Workforce