title: Medical student attitudes toward the medically underserved: the USU perspective.
abstract: This study examined a cohort of students attending the Uniformed Services University regarding their attitudes toward medical care in underserved populations. Using the previously validated Medical Student Attitudes Toward the Underserved (MSATU), repeated measures analysis of variance showed that student attitudes toward care in underserved populations was less favorable than limited national data at entry and declined over time (Mean MSATU total score Year 1: 46.2 [SD 10.95]; Year 4: 41.7 [SD 12.3] p < 0.01). Differences in medical school debt, exposure to underserved populations, and the definition of "service" in the context of active duty military status might explain some of our findings. Providing broad service learning opportunities within the curriculum could increase student exposure to underserved populations and strengthen the social contract between community and institution.
authors: Department of Family Medicine, Uniformed Services University, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.
authors: Mark B
authors: MB
authors: Stephens
authors: Department of Family Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston Salem, NC 27157.
authors: Grace
authors: G
authors: Landers
authors: Department of Family Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston Salem, NC 27157.
authors: Stephen W
authors: SW
authors: Davis
authors: Department of Medicine and Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.
authors: Steven J
authors: SJ
authors: Durning
authors: Department of Family Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston Salem, NC 27157.
authors: Sonia J
authors: SJ
authors: Crandall
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D012577:Schools, Medical; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States