Using decentralized medical education to address the workforce needs of a rural state: a partnership between Maine Medical Center and Tufts University school of medicine.
BACKGROUND
In February 2008, a new partnership between Maine Medical Center and Tufts University School of Medicine was formed to create a model medical school program.


OBJECTIVE
Major forces for change included: the increasing physician workforce needs of Maine, the need to increase access for medical education for Maine students, the opportunity for educational innovation, the societal imperative to increase the number of primary care physicians, and the desire for clinical and research collaborations.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors describe the process for exploring this partnership, and establishing a separate track and campus for 36 students per year. The key components of the 4 year curriculum, which includes clinical training based in Maine, are described, and 13 lessons learned to date are outlined. The authors hope these lessons provide guidance to other academic medical centers and medical schools wishing to address rural physician workforce challenges, through regional models of medical education, and similar partnerships.
Bing-You
Robert G
RG
Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine, USA. bingyb@mmc.org
Bates
Peter W
PW
Epstein
Scott K
SK
Kuhlik
Amy B
AB
Norris
Thomas E
TE
D002983:Clinical Competence; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006280:Health Workforce / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008281:Maine; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*