Benefits of rural medicine?

[babybop112]

Hi guys,

I was just contemplating the idea of practicing rural medicine and was wondering what the benefits of practicing rural medicine were? Why would anyone choose suburban or metropolitan medicine over urban medicine other than the fact that they grew up in that area?

Also, does "underserved area" include the urban inner-city in addition to rural areas?

Thanks yall.

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[Fermata]

Hi guys,

I was just contemplating the idea of practicing rural medicine and was wondering what the benefits of practicing rural medicine were? Why would anyone choose suburban or metropolitan medicine over urban medicine other than the fact that they grew up in that area?

Also, does "underserved area" include the urban inner-city in addition to rural areas?

Thanks yall.

Yes, some urban areas are underserved. The reason rural medicine isn't popular is that doctors are like most people and don't want to live in the countryside.

The benefits of rural medicine: sometimes more pay/better hours/slower pace.
The negatives of rural medicine: sometimes less pay/worse hours/faster pace.

Honestly, it depends on what specialty you are in and where you are.

Most rural areas would love to have more doctors(especially primary care).

 

[Marvin O'Connor]

Another benefit of wanting to practice rural medicine (as I do) is that it can help your chances for admission at some schools.

 

[nuttyp3]

I just wanted to add that I do not fall into the "most people" category and would take the untainted, pristine countryside anyday over the hustle and bustle of a city.

 

[JohnDO]

This isn't a universal law by any means, but the rural areas seem to be less litigous on the whole.

 

[Jillianrae]

I think that one of the biggest advantages of rural medicine is that you really get to be part of a community. I've lived mostly in small towns, but I have spent a few years in big cities. I'd never live in a big city by choice. I like the idea of seeing my patients at the grocery store and at high school football games. I like the idea of watching my young patients grown up, graduate, and build lives of their own. One of my favorite things about being from a small town is that when something good happens to one person (getting married, having a baby, getting into medical school), the whole town celebrates. It's like having a really diverse extended family.

The downside of living in a small town is that you can't keep secrets. Everybody knows everybody else's business. And rumors and gossip often blow things way out of proportion. But weighing the benefits against the risks, I'm definately going to practice in a small town.

 

[Eyecon82]

Watch Everwood....shows exactly how a urban dr. interacts with the community he lives in

 

[samurai_lincoln]

This isn't a universal law by any means, but the rural areas seem to be less litigous on the whole.

Exception numero uno: Rio Grande Valley in South Texas. Even though it is horribly underserved, it is also a hotbed for plaintiffs' abagados, which makes it even tougher to recruit doctors. No bueno. But I would say your hypothesis generally holds true.

 

[woolie]

I am still thinking about rural med. I've been working in low income primary care clinics this last year and I feel a little burned out by the incesssant personal needs of the patients and so I have been having fantasies of being an oncologist or a surgeon, something where there was more medicine and less patient chatter. Still, this might just be a phase.

When I drive down to Zion Nat'l park and pass through ranch country in southern Utah, well, a country doc seem like a pretty decent lifestyle afterall. Or how about Montana?? Nice country! and I second the ability to get to know your patients and see them grow and change over time. I totally like that, plus you get to see everything instead of the same specialty over and over (like being a liver surgeon ... 😛 , livers for the rest of your life!).

 

[flighterdoc]

I am still thinking about rural med. I've been working in low income primary care clinics this last year and I feel a little burned out by the incesssant personal needs of the patients and so I have been having fantasies of being an oncologist or a surgeon, something where there was more medicine and less patient chatter. Still, this might just be a phase.

When I drive down to Zion Nat'l park and pass through ranch country in southern Utah, well, a country doc seem like a pretty decent lifestyle afterall. Or how about Montana?? Nice country! and I second the ability to get to know your patients and see them grow and change over time. I totally like that, plus you get to see everything instead of the same specialty over and over (like being a liver surgeon ... 😛 , livers for the rest of your life!).

Montana actually has a LOT of physicians, I understand. A lot of folks beat us to it.

I already own a house in NW Idaho (near Darby). Looks like a good place to go practice!

 

[Heal&Teach]

FYI: http://www.nrharural.org/pagefile/different.html.

This should answer a few of your questions.