Additionally, students may choose to conduct community-based research projects during the course of their RUOP experience, further deepening their understanding of rural health care issues and fulfilling the U.W. graduate requirement for an independent study thesis. Community service projects encourage cultural immersion into their preceptors' rural lifestyle and community. RUOP was developed to address physician shortages and maldistribution in the region in 1988.
Highly popular with both students and preceptors, the program has steadily grown over the past 13 years from 23 participants the first year to 97 participants in 2001 (out of 176). Evaluation of this program indicates that RUOP supports preexisting beliefs and positive attitudes towards rural, underserved primary care careers. RUOP participants are more likely to select primary care residencies compared with non-participants. One study indicated that 63% of RUOP students selected primary care residencies compared to 47% of non-participants. Collaboratively managed by University of Washington School of Medicine, Area Health Education Centers throughout the region, and over one hundred clinical preceptors, the program is a model of campus-community partnership.
John B. Coombs, M.D., Professor of Family Medicine, Associate Vice President for Medical Affairs, Clinical Systems, and Community Relations, Associate Dean for Regional Affairs, Rural Health, and Graduate Medical Education, University of Washington, U.S.A.
Roger A. Rosenblatt, M.D., M.P.H., Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, U.S.A.
Sharon Dobie, M.D., Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, U.S.A.
Caroline A. Lanza, M.S.W., Educational Specialist, Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, U.S.A.
The long-term effect of an innovative family physician curricular pathway on the specialty and location of graduates of the University of Washington.
Author
Phillips TJ; Rosenblatt RA; Schaad DC; Cullen TJ
Address
Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, USA. tedjp@rockisland.com
Source
Acad Med, 74(3):285-8 1999 Mar
Abstract
PURPOSE: To report the specialty and rural/urban distribution a mean of 19 years after graduation for a cohort of students from a family physician curricular pathway. METHOD: Specialty and
location information for medical students who had entered the University of Washington between 1968 and 1973 was obtained from the 1994 Physician Masterfile of the American Medical Association. RESULTS: Of the 239 family physician pathway graduates, 173 (72%) had intended family practice at graduation, and 136 (57%) were family physicians two decades later. The proportions of all graduates in family practice and of graduates serving rural Washington as family physicians had increased over that of a cohort of students who had entered the University of Washington prior to the introduction of the pathway curriculum. These proportions surpassed the goals set at the time the new curriculum was introduced. CONCLUSION: With early identification and support of students interested in family practice, an increased number entered the specialty and were still family physicians in mid-career.
Language
Eng
Unique Identifier
99199402
MESH Headings
Career Choice * ; Cohort Studies ; Curriculum ; Human ; Physicians, Family *ED ; Professional Practice Location * ; Rural Health ; Schools, Medical ;
Specialism * ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. ; Washington