Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

2023 West Virginia Rural Health Conference Abstracts, Rich Sutphin

Marshall Journal of Medicine

The mission of the West Virginia Rural Health Association (WVRHA) is to unite people, communities, and organizations to strengthen rural health in West Virginia. The WVRHA annual conference brought together healthcare professionals, community leaders, and researchers, showcasing their efforts to improve the quality of life and access to excellent healthcare in rural areas. The abstracts covered a wide range of topics, including innovative healthcare delivery models, community health interventions, policy analysis, and the impacts of social determinants on health. These contributions reflect the dynamic work being done and the future directions in rural health, underscoring the WVRHA’s commitment to advancing …

Adequately Preparing Physicians For Rural Health Practice, Susan L. Flesher

Marshall Journal of Medicine

No abstract - editorial

Changes In Rural Affinity Among Rural Medical Students As They Experience Education In An Urban Setting, William J. Crump, Craig H. Ziegler, Leslee J. Martin, R. Steve Fricker, M. Ann Shaw, Alllison M. Crump, Susan Sawning

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

The maldistribution of physicians in the United States has led to a shortage of healthcare providers in rural areas and rural patients being underserved. A physician’s connections to rural settings, including upbringing and medical training, often influence the decision to practice in rural areas. This study examines opinions from medical students who participated in a regional rural campus track, which includes summer immersion programs, rural-focused sessions, and clinical rotations. The authors hypothesized that Rural Track students experience urban disruption, and their opinions about rural living and practice would become increasingly less positive over time while students lived at …

Contribution Of Medical Education To Rural Health, Roger Y. Wong

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Rural health is an important priority in many jurisdictions as an example of social accountability. The choice to practice in a rural community can be influenced by personal factors, educational factors, and systemic factors. Medical education makes significant contribution to rural health by proactively and positively modifying the educational factors. The experience of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia, Canada is used to illustrate how this can be accomplished. A multi-component approach that is tailored to address the personal and systemic determinants of rural practice must also be developed to maximize the positive impact of medical …