Family Medicine Residency Training in Rural Locations

摘要

Family physicians provide the majority of medical care to rural and underserved areas in the United States, particularly in small and remote areas. Rural physician supply depends upon the capacity of family medicine residency training programs to prepare residents for rural practice. However, recent decreases in interest in family medicine and declining family medicine residency match rates may jeopardize rural family physician supply. While federal health reform legislation offers incentives for primary care and rural practice, it will take time for new policies to reverse trends. We surveyed all U.S. family medicine residency programs about their rural training programs in 2007 and compared findings to our 2000 survey.