title: Do Residencies That Aim to Produce Rural Family Physicians Offer Relevant Training?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Rural family physicians are in short supply. Rural training can promote rural practice, but the number of family medicine residencies with a rural focus, geographic distribution of training, and training content are poorly understood. This study identified rural-centric family medicine residencies, their training locations, and rurally relevant skills training provided.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors identified family medicine residencies offering rural tracks or in rural locations using FREIDA Online®, the American Osteopathic Association "Opportunities," and the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians Residency Finder online databases. Program personnel completed a survey in 2013 about training locations and content.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 583, 171 (29%) family medicine residencies met inclusion criteria. A total of 131 returned surveys (77%). Fifty-eight programs (44% of respondents) required at least 8 weeks of rural training; results describe these rural-centric programs. Programs reported a mean of 43.6 weeks (SD 49.7) of required rural block rotations. Mean hours per week in required rural continuity clinic sessions were 14.3 (SD 12.2). Thirty-nine percent of block rotation sites, 31% of clinic sites, and 21% of full-time training sites reported as rural were urban according to Rural-Urban Commuting Area codes. Over 90% of programs provided training in orthopedic care and emergency skills. Fewer than 60% provided endoscopy and operative obstetrics training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Though numerous family medicine residencies seek to produce rural physicians, most programs required fewer than 8 weeks of rural training. Programs varied substantially in rurally located training and rurally relevant content. Students seeking rural training should examine program curricula carefully.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington.
authors.forename: David V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Davis G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.forename: C Holly
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: A Andrilla
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schmitz
authors.forename: Randall
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Longenecker
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods*; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000193:education; D055360:Osteopathic Physicians; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D011365:Professional Practice Location; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires