Medical students’ attitudes toward rural practice

Approximately 200 medical students from predominantly rural states and their wives were surveyed to assess their attitudes toward rural practice. Although the student’s background was directly correlated with his location plans, the effect of his wife’s background was particularly evident among those students planning to locate in rural communities; this influence was not as salient among those planning on urban practices. There was a strong relationship between interest in family practice and plans for rural practice. The year in medical school and/or availability of courses in family medicine did not appear to influence the students’ orientations toward rural practice.