Professional careers of 258 graduates of a 'fifth pathway' program.

Two hundred fifty-eight graduates (80%) of a fifth pathway program provided information about their professional careers. Fifty-nine percent practice primary care medicine, 25% are surgeons, and 16% are in support services such as psychiatry and radiology. Fifty-four percent are board certified, many of whom are doubly-board certified and some of whom hold prestigious academic positions. We conclude that properly educated fifth pathway graduates can become productive and respected members of the medical profession and contribute significantly to meeting the health-care needs of the patients and communities they serve.