Rural Medical EducationRural Medical Education

Premedical Student ConferencePremedical Student Conference

Thanks to Scott Owings, MDThanks to Scott Owings, MD

Associate Director – Smoky Hill Associate Director – Smoky Hill Family Medicine ResidencyFamily Medicine Residency

2/18/122/18/12

OpportunitiesOpportunities

• Scholars in Rural Health Program (premed)

• Summer Rural Research (1st year)• Rural Health Weekend (2nd year)• Clerkships (3rd year)• Required Rural Preceptorship (4th year)• Rural Track (3rd & 4th year)• KU Salina

Scholars in Rural Health ProgramScholars in Rural Health Program

• Assures rural Kansas students automatic admission into KU Med upon completion of the program.

• Goal is to attract and retain rural Kansans with the anticipated outcome that these student will be more likely to return to rural Kansas to practice medicine.

• Separate admission process• Priority for the Kansas Medical Loan

Scholars in Rural Health ProgramScholars in Rural Health Program(applicant eligibility)(applicant eligibility)

• Kansas resident• Have experience living in rural Kansas• Demonstrate intellectual promise• Achieved ACT/SAT scores above 75th %• Be a minimum of sophomore standing and have 2 years

of undergraduate education remaining.• Completed 1 year of college undergraduate didactic and

laboratory study in general biology and general inorganic chemistry.

• Demonstrate intention to practice medicine in rural areas of Kansas.

• Demonstrate a commitment to service.

Scholars in Rural Health ProgramScholars in Rural Health Program(selection process)(selection process)

• Submit completed application materials to the KU School of Medicine Office of Admissions.

• All applications are reviewed by a committee chaired by the program director.

• Interviews by full-time and volunteer faculty with experience in rural medicine.

Scholars in Rural Health ProgramScholars in Rural Health Program(program requirements)(program requirements)

• Attendance and graduation from an accredited college or university

• Maintain a cumulative 3.50 or higher GPA

• Maintain a 3.50 or higher GPA in the premedical science curriculum

• Participation in programs designated by the School of Medicine

• Satisfactory score on the MCAT exam.

Summer Rural ResearchSummer Rural Research(First Year of Med. School)(First Year of Med. School)

• The Rural Primary Care Practice and Research Program (RPCPRP) is an elective rotation through the department of Family Medicine.

• Involves active clinical training as well as health promotion and disease prevention research in rural primary care settings across Kansas.

Rural Health WeekendRural Health Weekend(Second Year of Med. School)(Second Year of Med. School)

• Like a mini-preceptorship

• Encourages students to familiarize themselves with the day-to-day work of rural family doctors and engage in community involvement in small towns throughout Kansas.

• Opportunity to discover if rural medicine is a good fit

Rural Health WeekendRural Health Weekend(Second Year of Med. School)(Second Year of Med. School)

• It counts as a rotation so can give you a chance to take it easy in fourth year, do residency interviews, etc.

• You get paid – 1-2,000 bucks.

• Can re-energize you after that first year – more patient contact, more of why most of us went to medical school.

Rural Options for Required Third-Rural Options for Required Third-Year ClerkshipsYear Clerkships

• Can complete all or part of your third year in a rural community.

• Rotations are available in: pediatrics, geriatrics, family medicine, neuropsychiatry, ob/gyn, and surgery.

• Sites are available in rural areas across the state.

Required Rural PreceptorshipRequired Rural Preceptorship(Fourth Year of Medical School)(Fourth Year of Medical School)

• All KU fourth-year medical students are required to complete a four-week rural preceptorship.

• Preceptorships are offered in numerous primary care departments

Rural TrackRural Track

• Will mention as a historical element. • A rural path begun by KU in 2000.• Students performed the last 18 months of

medical school rotations in Salina.• Very successful in getting students hands on

experience in clinical medicine.• Paved the way for the KU campus in Salina for

all 4 years.• Discontinue in 2013 as then Salina will have

their own students in clinics.

KU Salina CampusKU Salina Campus

• Complete all 4 years of medical school in Salina.

• Currently accepting 8 students per class.

• First class began Summer 2011.

• Emphasis on Rural Medicine – will contain the same academic requirements as KU Kansas City. Current academic performance same as KC and Wichita.

SalinaSalina

• Population is roughly 50,000

• Salina Regional Health Center serves an area of about 150,000

• Over 350 hospital beds

• Recently expanded hospital with all single patient rooms

• Named Best Community in Kansas to raise a family in Business Week

Why Go Rural?Why Go Rural?(financial incentives)(financial incentives)

• Kansas Bridging Plan – loan forgiveness program offered to residents in primary care programs. Can receive a total of $26,000 in return for 36 months of practice in a rural community.

• Kansas Medical Loan Program – loan forgiveness for medical school including a monthly stipend – year for a year.

• Kansas Locum Tenens.

Why Go Rural?Why Go Rural?

• Independence/autonomy• No competition with other

students/residents• More hands on experience (procedures)• One on one teaching• More patient continuity• Personal relationships with staff/attendings• The Way of Life

Why Go Rural?Why Go Rural?

Why Go Rural?Why Go Rural?

Why Go Rural?Why Go Rural?

Why Go Rural?Why Go Rural?

Thank You!Thank You!

Questions?Questions?