THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN RURAL TRACK PARTICIPATION IN AN OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL PROGRAM AND RURAL PRACTICE.

Purpose: : It is widely acknowledged that the U.S. is experiencing a shortage of physicians, especially in primary care. Currently, the shortage of PCPs is of 7,400 nationwide; by 2025 that number will have ballooned to 65,800. A more significant problem, however, is the maldistribution of primary care providers in rural areas and areas of greater need. In response to this problem, the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM) established the Rural Family Medicine Track. This rural track was a longitudinal program designed to prepare medical students for family practice in a rural community. The purpose of this project was to assess the relationship between rural track participation and rural practice. Methods: : Information about Rural Track graduates was collected and entered into a comprehensive database. Graduate information was obtained from academic records and medical board websites. Information regarding graduates' demographic characteristics and current practice location was examined using descriptive statistics. A logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between rural track participation and rural practice. Results: Of the 218 students that participated in a rural track or clerkship, 67% completed the rural track, and 60% (n=132) were female. In terms of ethnicity, the majority were white (73%, n=150), with 10% (n=23) Hispanic, 14% (n= 30) Asian, and 1% (n=2) Black. Once in practice, 20% (n=39) of graduates practiced in a rural county, 40% (n=76) practiced in a Medically Underserved Area (MUA), and 16% practiced in a Health Profession Shortage Area (HPSA). A logistic regression was performed to assess the association between rural track participation and rural practice; no statistically significant relationship was found. Conclusions: Results show that there was no statistical significant relationship between rural track participation and rural practice. However, the rural track has produced graduates that practice in rural and underserved areas. The current ROME curriculum will continue the success of the Rural Track and plans to place a greater number of students in rural practice.