title: Characteristics of Japanese medical students associated with their intention for rural practice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Japan, the maldistribution of physicians between urban and rural areas is increasing. It is important to know the practice location expectations of future physicians.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was designed as a cross-sectional survey. In 2009-2013, students at a medical school in Japan completed a questionnaire containing 50 items with four-point Likert scales. The students rated the importance of specified individual and occupational aspects. Furthermore, students were asked to state their intention to practice in a rural area.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study sample consisted of 368 students (88.2% response rate). Significant variables that were associated with a positively motivated intent for rural practice were 'presence of a role model' (odds ratio (OR), 5.42; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.58-18.5), 'admission by school recommendation' (OR, 7.68; 95%CI, 2.14-27.6), 'growing up in a rural area' (OR, 6.16; 95%CI, 1.01-37.6), 'general medicine/family medicine as the first career choice' (OR, 5.88; 95%CI, 2.43-14.2), 'interest in the targeted population' (OR, 16.7; 95%CI, 3.97-69.9), 'memorable experience at a class or clinical rotation' (OR, 3.94; 95%CI, 3.73-416), and 'location of their medical school' (OR, 11.4; 95%CI, 2.79-46.2).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study suggests that medical schools might recruit students with characteristics associated with intention for rural practice.
authors.affiliation: Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Nomura-cho, Seiyo-city, Ehime, Japan. rykawamo@m.ehime-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Ryuichi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kawamoto
authors.affiliation: Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime, Japan. ashrin@mac.com.
authors.forename: Asuka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Uemoto
authors.affiliation: Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Nomura-cho, Seiyo-city, Ehime, Japan. 98065dn@jichi.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ninomiya
authors.affiliation: Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Nomura-cho, Seiyo-city, Ehime, Japan. tewotunagou41@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Youichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hasegawa
authors.affiliation: Seiyo Municipal Nomura Hospital, Nomura-cho, Seiyo-city, Ehime, Japan. ohtsukan@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Nobuyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ohtsuka
authors.affiliation: Seiyo Municipal Nomura Hospital, Nomura-cho, Seiyo-city, Ehime, Japan. kusunoki.tomo.mm@ehime-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Tomo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kusunoki
authors.affiliation: Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime. terukuma@m.ehime-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Teru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kumagi
authors.affiliation: Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime. masaben@m.ehime-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Masanori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002321:Career Choice; D002322:Career Mobility; D003376:Counseling; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors; D010563:Personnel Turnover / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011365:Professional Practice Location; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019035:Rural Health Services; D012570:School Admission Criteria; D012577:Schools, Medical / Q000145:classification / Q000592:standards; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D056164:Teaching Rounds; D014495:Universities; D000078329:Workforce; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Asia; Assessment; Medical; Renal Health; Undergraduate