What to do with interest in rural medicine?

[pinkbowbunny]

I'm applying this cycle, MD only. I'm really interested in rural medicine- should I show this in my apps? How would I go about it? So far, all my clinical experience has been in a rural area (550 hours ED scribe, ~250 hours ophthalmic tech), and I really enjoy the idea of working in a rural area. I would enjoy the increased responsibility and stronger patient relationships. Rural areas can also be underserved in that they experience an even greater shortage of physicians. My undergrad institution is also in a rural area, and I have come to enjoy rural living.

Ideally, I would like to do NHSC for psychiatry and still continue to practice in a rural area after.

I understand this may be premature to think so far in advance. However, I currently have a genuine, strong, and uncommon interest within medicine, and would like to know if I should show it to med schools or not.

I have heard some med schools have rural track programs. I am also applying to Dartmouth as it is the only private rural MD school in the US according to MSAR. There are public rural MD schools, but I would be OOS for those.

In short: Should I show my interest in rural medicine? How can I show it to med schools?

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[Goro]

In order to walk the walk, and not merely talk to talk. You should be doing some volunteer work in rural communities.

 

[pinkbowbunny]

In order to walk the walk, and not merely talk to talk. You should be doing some volunteer work in rural communities.

Yes, I also do volunteer work in a rural community. I will have 200 hours at a soup kitchen completed by time of application.

Is there anything else I should do to walk the walk?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Application Advice for Future Rural Health Professionals - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

 

[Goro]

Yes, I also do volunteer work in a rural community. I will have 200 hours at a soup kitchen completed by time of application.

Is there anything else I should do to walk the walk?

I think that you've done it!

 

[pinkbowbunny]

Application Advice for Future Rural Health Professionals - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

Thank you. In the past I have reached out to my local AHEC but was told am not eligible to join until I am a matriculating med student. I will look for schools with NHRA. Is there anything else I can do now?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Thank you. In the past I have reached out to my local AHEC but was told am not eligible to join until I am a matriculating med student. I will look for schools with NHRA. Is there anything else I can do now?

Not every AHEC has opportunities with prehealth students, but I've often been surprised that some do. Not a big deal as long as you know. That said, make a note of the schools on your list with active relationships with or host AHEC programs.

 

[wysdoc]

I'm applying this cycle, MD only. I'm really interested in rural medicine- should I show this in my apps? How would I go about it? So far, all my clinical experience has been in a rural area (550 hours ED scribe, ~250 hours ophthalmic tech), and I really enjoy the idea of working in a rural area. I would enjoy the increased responsibility and stronger patient relationships. Rural areas can also be underserved in that they experience an even greater shortage of physicians. My undergrad institution is also in a rural area, and I have come to enjoy rural living.

Ideally, I would like to do NHSC for psychiatry and still continue to practice in a rural area after.

I understand this may be premature to think so far in advance. However, I currently have a genuine, strong, and uncommon interest within medicine, and would like to know if I should show it to med schools or not.

I have heard some med schools have rural track programs. I am also applying to Dartmouth as it is the only private rural MD school in the US according to MSAR. There are public rural MD schools, but I would be OOS for those.

In short: Should I show my interest in rural medicine? How can I show it to med schools?

Show it by talking about it in your secondary essays, the most fitting place.
Also apply to schools in smaller municipalities, more small city satellite branches, or a healthy number of people seeking primary care specialties.

 

[LunaOri]

Many schools (such as UMass, Tufts) have special tracks for those interested in rural medicine. And there are schools such as UVM that are in predominantly-rural states, that have a strong rural medicine focus and actively recruit applicants who share that interest.

 

[polymerization]

I am also applying to Dartmouth as it is the only private rural MD school in the US according to MSAR.

Also consider Columbia-Bassett. You're basically a regular Columbia VP&S student for didactic and then they send you to the middle of nowhere for the rest of your training. I've read a lot of students are really happy with it, even students who don't necessarily want to practice in a rural environment—apparently, it is a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of NYC.

 

[Hollow Knight]

You can also lean hard on that in your secondaries and personal statement. That's what I did, and I had similar interests as you. I honestly think it hurt me at the T20s I applied to (got waitlisted), because most of those places aren't really that worried about primary care at the end of the day whatever lip service they provide (at least my friends there tell me that).

Having said that, I wound up getting a scholarship at a "low tier" school that more aligned with my interests. So I think being your authentic self will only help you at the end of the day. Maybe you won't get into a T20 that will be dead-set on turning you into a cardiologist, but I suspect you'd be less happy at a school such as that anyway.

Honesty is basically always the right answer (barring some situations in training where you will have to just take abuse on the chin and smile and say thank you)