Family medicine faculty development fellowships and the medically underserved

Objective: This study measured the prevalence of service in federally desig nated medically underserved communities (FD-MUC) by Title VII-funded, full- time faculty development fellowship alumni. Methods: A two-stage survey of alumni of full-time, family medicine faculty development fellowships was co mpleted. Alumni were dichotomized as sewing in an FD-MUC or not. Results: O f the 105 fellowship alumni identified, 81% (n=85) responded; 42% (n=36) we re sewing in an FD-MUC. Of alumni sewing in an FD-MUC, the mean full-time e quivalent service time was 73%. Of the demographic variables measured only race was significantly associated with FD-MUC service, and minorities were more likely to practice in an FD-MUC. Respondents sewing in FD-MUCs were mo re satisfied with their relationships with nonphysician health professional s, salary and income, and their robe in making organizational and administr ative decisions than those not sewing in FD-MUCs. Conclusions: Title VII ha s the broad policy objective of increasing access to medical care by improv ing the supply and distribution of physicians and recruitment of minority h ealth professionals. Alumni of faculty development programs have a high ser vice rate in FD-MUCs, and minority alumni are significantly more likely to practice in these sites.