Caring for the Country : Family Doctors in Small Rural Towns

This distinct book profiles ten graduates from the Physician Shortage Area Program (PSAP) of Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, who are now practicing family medicine in small rural towns. Author Howard K. Rabinowitz, MD, Director of the PSAP, invites pre-med undergraduates, medical students, residents, and family physicians to read the compelling stories of these doctors, who enjoy rich and fulfilling relationships with their patients and their communities. Providing important insights for those interested in addressing the rural physician shortage, and an excellent resource for pre-med and medical school advisors, the text brings into focus the true calling of medicine—making a difference by helping others. The book opens by discussing the impact of the PSAP, one of the nation’s most successful programs in increasing the supply of rural physicians. In-depth profiles reveal the everyday reality of practicing family medicine in small towns through poignant stories and candid dialogue. They cover the spectrum of social and professional issues that rural family doctors face, addressing topics such as the scope of rural family practice, the roles of medical schools and hospital systems, health care policy, rural obstetrics, and telemedicine. The concluding chapter summarizes the professional and personal lessons learned and outlines the future of the field. Anyone with an interest in the unique rewards and challenges of rural medicine will enjoy this enlightening read. This Distinct Book Profiles Ten Graduates From The Physician Shortage Area Program (psap) Of Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Who Are Now Practicing Family Medicine In Small Rural Towns. Author Howard K. Rabinowitz, Md, Director Of The Psap, Invites Pre-med Undergraduates, Medical Students, Residents, And Family Physicians To Read The Compelling Stories Of These Doctors, Who Enjoy Rich And Fulfilling Relationships With Their Patients And Their Communities. Providing Important Insights For Those Interested In Addressing The Rural Physician Shortage, And An Excellent Resource For Pre-med And Medical School Advisors, The Text Brings Into Focus The True Calling Of Medicine--making A Difference By Helping Others. The Opens By Discussing The Impact Of The Psap, One Of The Nation's Most Successful Programs In Increasing The Supply Of Rural Physicians. In-depth Profiles Reveal The Everyday Reality Of Practicing Family Medicine And In Small Towns Through Poignant Stories And Candid Dialogue. They Cover The Spectrum Of Social And Professional Issues That Rural Family Doctors Face, Addressing Topics Topics Such As The Scope Of Rural Family Practice, The Roles Of Medical Schools And Hospital Systems, Health Care Policy, Rural Obstetrics, And Telemedicine. The Concluding Chapter Summarizes The Professional And Personal Lessons Learned And Outlines The Future Of The Field. Anyone With An Interest In The Unique Rewards And Challenges Of Rural Medicine Will Enjoy This Enlightening Read. Howard K. Rabinowitz. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 257-262). Medical students lack role models in rural primary care, contributing to the shortage of family care physicians in rural areas. This book addresses that need by profiling graduates from the Physician Shortage Area Program (PSAP) of Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, who now practice rural family medicine. The text challenges pre-med undergraduates, medical students, and family physicians to consider rural family practice and is an excellent resource for pre-med and medical school advisors. In-depth profiles reveal the everyday reality of the physician shortage through poignant stories and candid dialogue. They cover the social and professional issues that rural family physicians face, highlighting topics such as the meaning of rural family practice, the roles of medical schools and hospitals, health care policy, rural obstetrics, and telemedicine. The concluding chapter summarizes the professional and personal lessons learned and outlines the future of rural family practice. TOC:Introduction.- Brockway, Pennsylvania.- Nanty Glo, Pennsylvania.- Ovid, New York.- Boswell, Pennsylvania.- Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania.- Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania.- Lock Haven, Pennsylvania.- Morehead City, North Carolina.- Bedford, Pennsylvania.- Corry, Pennsylvania.- Caring for the Country Medical students lack role models in rural primary care, contributing to the severe shortage of family care physicians in rural areas. This unique book addresses that need by profiling ten graduates from the Physician Shortage Area Program (PSAP) of Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, who are now practicing rural family medicine. At the heart of this text is a challenge to pre-med undergraduates, medical students, and family physicians to consider rural family practice. An excellent resource for pre-med and medical school advisors, the book brings into focus the true calling of medicine—making a difference by helping others. The text opens by discussing the impact that the PSAP has had on the physician shortage. In-depth profiles advance the topic by revealing the everyday reality of the shortage through poignant stories and candid dialogue. They cover the spectrum of social and professional issues that rural family physicians face, addressing topics such as the meaning of rural family practice, the roles of medical schools and hospital systems, health care policy, rural obstetrics, and telemedicine. The concluding chapter summarizes the professional and personal lessons learned from the profiles and outlines the future of rural family practice. Front Matter....Pages i-xii Introduction....Pages 1-13 Brockway, Pennsylvania....Pages 14-34 Nanty Glo, Pennsylvania....Pages 35-57 Ovid, New York....Pages 58-82 Boswell, Pennsylvania....Pages 83-98 Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania....Pages 99-124 Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania....Pages 125-152 Lock Haven, Pennsylvania....Pages 153-166 Morehead City, North Carolina....Pages 167-194 Bedford, Pennsylvania....Pages 195-214 Corry, Pennsylvania....Pages 215-237 Caring for the Country....Pages 238-253 Epilogue....Pages 255-255 Back Matter....Pages 257-262 -An excellent resource for pre-med students and medical school advisors. -Possible adoptions for courses in Medical Humanities (pre-med undergraduate and medical school/graduate, first two years) and Family Practice Clerkship (medical school/graduate) -In-depth profiles reveal the everyday reality of the shortage through poignant stories and candid dialogue. -The foreword is written by Dr. Robert Taylor ( Family Medicine; Fundamentals of Family Medicine )