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When 1+2 3 for Hard-working Rural Physicians
Donald E. Pathman, MD, MPH
Arch Fam Med. 1994;3(9):757-759.
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Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings. |
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UNDERSTANDING THE challenges and rewards of rural medical practice has long seemed to be the key to designing effective programs to increase the number of rural physicians. We believe that if we could only figure out what negative aspects of rural medicine prompt physicians to leave rural communities, we could solve the attrition half of the perennial rural physician shortage problem. When we also understand what is needed to attract more physicians into rural areas, the shortage can be eliminated completely.
Rural practice is faster paced and demands more time than urban practice. The pace of work is a source of frustration for some rural physicians,1,2 and excessive work and insufficient time off have been cited by rural physicians as important reasons why some leave their practices3 and why others will not go to rural areas in the first place.4 To enhance the retention of rural
. . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]
Author Affiliations
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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