PURPOSE: To identify the U.S. medical schools with the most graduates practicing in rural, urban, and economically distressed areas of Appalachia. METHOD: Using June 2009 American Medical Association Physician Masterfile data, the authors identified physicians who graduated from medical school during 1991-2005 and were practicing in the 420 counties of the United States' Appalachian region. They then determined the U.S. medical schools with the most 2001-2005 graduates practicing in primary care (PC) or non-PC specialties in urban or rural areas and the most 1991-2005 graduates practicing in economically distressed/at-risk counties. RESULTS: Ten U.S. medical schools, led by the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, produced 50.5% (197/390) of 2001-2005 graduates practicing PC in rural areas of Appalachia; 10 schools, led by the University of Alabama School of Medicine, produced 44.1% (366/829) of graduates practicing PC in urban areas. During 2001-2005, 10 schools, led by the West Virginia University School of Medicine, graduated 42.1% (128/304) of non-PC physicians practicing in rural counties; 11 schools, led by the University of Alabama School of Medicine, graduated 38.5% (323/840) of non-PC physicians practicing in urban areas. All schools on the top 10 lists are located within states with Appalachian counties. University of Kentucky College of Medicine had the most 1991-2005 graduates practicing in economically distressed or at-risk counties. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians practicing in Appalachia are largely graduates of medical schools in or near the region. New schools being developed in the region may help reduce its continuing physician shortages.
PURPOSE: To identify the U.S. medical schools with the most graduates practicing in rural, urban, and economically distressed areas of Appalachia. METHOD: Using June 2009 American Medical Association Physician Masterfile data, the authors identified physicians who graduated from medical school during 1991-2005 and were practicing in the 420 counties of the United States' Appalachian region. They then determined the U.S. medical schools with the most 2001-2005 graduates practicing in primary care (PC) or non-PC specialties in urban or rural areas and the most 1991-2005 graduates practicing in economically distressed/at-risk counties. RESULTS: Ten U.S. medical schools, led by the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, produced 50.5% (197/390) of 2001-2005 graduates practicing PC in rural areas of Appalachia; 10 schools, led by the University of Alabama School of Medicine, produced 44.1% (366/829) of graduates practicing PC in urban areas. During 2001-2005, 10 schools, led by the West Virginia University School of Medicine, graduated 42.1% (128/304) of non-PC physicians practicing in rural counties; 11 schools, led by the University of Alabama School of Medicine, graduated 38.5% (323/840) of non-PC physicians practicing in urban areas. All schools on the top 10 lists are located within states with Appalachian counties. University of Kentucky College of Medicine had the most 1991-2005 graduates practicing in economically distressed or at-risk counties. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians practicing in Appalachia are largely graduates of medical schools in or near the region. New schools being developed in the region may help reduce its continuing physician shortages.