Interim evaluation of the rural health scholars program

Background: The imperative to address physician maldistribution has been di rected in part at medical schools. Description: The Rural Health Scholars Program (RHSP) is art enrichment ini tiative that has been implemented at 2 medical schools to increase the numb er of students likely to practice primary care in rural, underserved areas. It is a longitudinal program that includes (a skill-building workshop; a 5 -week summer preceptorship with community-based preceptors in rural, unders erved areas; and opportunities to realm to preceptorship sites during 3rd- and 4th-) ear rotations. Students also attend community-based and teleconfe rence seminars and workshops, as well as informal social gatherings. Evaluation: 14 static-group comparison design was used to compare programs participants with nonparticipants regarding residency program types and loc ations. Conclusions: The RHSP is meeting some interim objectives conductive to its long-term goal of developing physicians who will practice primary care medi cine in rural, underserved areas of North Carolina.