Ryuichi Kawamoto1, Asuka Uemoto2, Daisuke Ninomiya3, Youichi Hasegawa4, Nobuyuki Ohtsuka5, Tomo Kusunoki6, Teru Kumagi7, Masanori Abe8. 1. Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Nomura-cho, Seiyo-city, Ehime, Japan. rykawamo@m.ehime-u.ac.jp. 2. Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime, Japan. ashrin@mac.com. 3. Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Nomura-cho, Seiyo-city, Ehime, Japan. 98065dn@jichi.ac.jp. 4. Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Nomura-cho, Seiyo-city, Ehime, Japan. tewotunagou41@gmail.com. 5. Seiyo Municipal Nomura Hospital, Nomura-cho, Seiyo-city, Ehime, Japan. ohtsukan@hotmail.com. 6. Seiyo Municipal Nomura Hospital, Nomura-cho, Seiyo-city, Ehime, Japan. kusunoki.tomo.mm@ehime-u.ac.jp. 7. Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime. terukuma@m.ehime-u.ac.jp. 8. Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime. masaben@m.ehime-u.ac.jp.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: In Japan, the maldistribution of physicians between urban and rural areas is increasing. It is important to know the practice location expectations of future physicians. METHODS: The study was designed as a cross-sectional survey. In 2009-2013, students at a medical school in Japan completed a questionnaire containing 50 items with four-point Likert scales. The students rated the importance of specified individual and occupational aspects. Furthermore, students were asked to state their intention to practice in a rural area. RESULTS: The study sample consisted of 368 students (88.2% response rate). Significant variables that were associated with a positively motivated intent for rural practice were 'presence of a role model' (odds ratio (OR), 5.42; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.58-18.5), 'admission by school recommendation' (OR, 7.68; 95%CI, 2.14-27.6), 'growing up in a rural area' (OR, 6.16; 95%CI, 1.01-37.6), 'general medicine/family medicine as the first career choice' (OR, 5.88; 95%CI, 2.43-14.2), 'interest in the targeted population' (OR, 16.7; 95%CI, 3.97-69.9), 'memorable experience at a class or clinical rotation' (OR, 3.94; 95%CI, 3.73-416), and 'location of their medical school' (OR, 11.4; 95%CI, 2.79-46.2). CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that medical schools might recruit students with characteristics associated with intention for rural practice.
INTRODUCTION: In Japan, the maldistribution of physicians between urban and rural areas is increasing. It is important to know the practice location expectations of future physicians. METHODS: The study was designed as a cross-sectional survey. In 2009-2013, students at a medical school in Japan completed a questionnaire containing 50 items with four-point Likert scales. The students rated the importance of specified individual and occupational aspects. Furthermore, students were asked to state their intention to practice in a rural area. RESULTS: The study sample consisted of 368 students (88.2% response rate). Significant variables that were associated with a positively motivated intent for rural practice were 'presence of a role model' (odds ratio (OR), 5.42; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.58-18.5), 'admission by school recommendation' (OR, 7.68; 95%CI, 2.14-27.6), 'growing up in a rural area' (OR, 6.16; 95%CI, 1.01-37.6), 'general medicine/family medicine as the first career choice' (OR, 5.88; 95%CI, 2.43-14.2), 'interest in the targeted population' (OR, 16.7; 95%CI, 3.97-69.9), 'memorable experience at a class or clinical rotation' (OR, 3.94; 95%CI, 3.73-416), and 'location of their medical school' (OR, 11.4; 95%CI, 2.79-46.2). CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that medical schools might recruit students with characteristics associated with intention for rural practice.
Authors: Sajad Delavari; Mohammad Arab; Arash Rashidian; Saharnaz Nedjat; Rahmatollah Gholipour Souteh Journal: J Prev Med Public Health Date: 2016-11-01