Document Detail


Perspectives of female physicians practicing in rural Wisconsin.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  17874671     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: While approximately 30% of the Wisconsin population lives in rural areas, only 11% of physicians practice in these areas. More women are entering medicine today and some studies have raised concerns that women are less likely to practice in rural areas. The intent of this study was to identify which factors influenced female physicians to enter rural practice and to look at the issues they are confronting. METHODS: Ten female physicians practicing in rural Wisconsin towns agreed to participate in 30- to 60-minute semi-structured interviews. Transcripts of the interviews were analyzed to identify common themes in answers to the questions. RESULTS: The physicians had been in practice between 2-26 years, with an average of 13 years. Seven of the 10 had rural backgrounds, which influenced their decisions to practice in rural areas. The physicians cited other factors, such as professional satisfaction, the ability to be engaged with and serve one's community, and having a good place to raise one's family, that made practicing and living in a rural community attractive. However, these physicians also found some drawbacks to rural practice, including too few providers, too much call, and finding a balance between professional and family life. Despite this, all plan to stay in their current practices indefinitely and recommend rural practice to female medical students and residents. CONCLUSIONS: These female physicians find the value of being in rural practice overcome the challenges. The participants provided insight into motivating women to enter rural practice, finding a balance between the challenges and benefits of rural medicine, and promoting the future of rural health care.
Authors:
Erin B Kimball; Byron J Crouse
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  WMJ : official publication of the State Medical Society of Wisconsin     Volume:  106     ISSN:  1098-1861     ISO Abbreviation:  WMJ     Publication Date:  2007 Aug 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2007-09-18     Completed Date:  2007-12-13     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9716054     Medline TA:  WMJ     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  256-9     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Attitude of Health Personnel*
Career Choice
Family Practice / manpower*
Female
Humans
Job Satisfaction
Middle Aged
Motivation
Physicians, Women / psychology*,  supply & distribution
Professional Practice Location / statistics & numerical data*
Rural Health Services / manpower*
Schools, Medical
Time Factors
Wisconsin

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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