Consider Rural Physician Opportunities

Upon completion of residency, physicians have a myriad of factors to consider: hospital or private practice; salary guarantee or production incentive; and most importantly, where to practice - urban or rural?

With a very real physician shortage presenting itself in the United States, rural opportunities have become more prevalent and it is grown more critical to find the best physician to meet the needs of the community.  With 22 percent of the United States' population living in rural America and less than 10 percent of the nation's physicians practicing there, today's rural doctor shortage is likely to get worse before it gets better.

From a rural recruitment standpoint, it has been valuable to offer physicians a competitive salary, benefits, and strong community involvement.  But in terms of practicing, rural communities can offer other aspects not measured in a position description.  According to a 2007 Physician Survey on Practicing Medicine in Rural America, conducted by Locumtenens.com, perceptions of physicians who have practiced in rural areas indicate added value to rural practice opportunities.

The survey measured physician perceptions in regards to frustration in a rural practice and revealed that 45 percent of respondents (503 physicians) felt that the frustration level is the same as it is in an urban practice; 37 percent felt rural practice was less frustrating. Regarding doctor/patient relationships, 52 percent of physician respondents indicated they had a closer relationship with patients in a rural practice.  Only 3 percent revealed they had a closer patient relationship in their urban setting.

Lifestyle can be a primary factor in a physician choosing a practice opportunity in an urban setting.  According to the same Locumtenens.com survey, physicians whose experience included a rural and urban setting, 31 percent (346 physicians) liked rural life more, while only 19 percent (212 physicians) enjoyed urban life more than rural.  Further results from the "Practicing Medicine in Rural America" Survey can be found on the MidwestMD web site or by clicking here.

Robert Moser, M.D., practices at Greely County Hospital, in Tribune, Kansas, a community located in southwest Kansas with a population of 1000.  When asked what it is he loves most about practicing in a rural community he indicated, "I love the lifestyle!"  He explains that in his rural community he feels he has the ability to do those things he was trained to do in medical school and residency.  "There is also a level of patient trust that I wouldn't trade."

Dr. Moser explains that not everyone is comfortable with the idea of a rural practice, but emphasizes that everyone should experience it at least once.  He would encourage resident physicians to spend some time in a rural practice shadowing or providing locums to get a feel for what a rural practice and community feels like before deciding where to practice.

To explore rural opportunities throughout the United States, visit www.3RNet.org.  The National Rural Recruitment and Retention Network (3RNet) is a valuable resource for physicians and their families interested in learning more about rural opportunities throughout the United States.  3RNet is made up of not-for-profit organizations that assist physicians and other health professionals locate practice sites in rural and underserved areas throughout the country.