Rural Focus Course
Though medical issues covered in students’ coursework include rural, all the factors unique to rural care may not be. We know from a review of the literature that providing primary care to any population improves the population’s health care status. Since Oklahoma ranks near the bottom in the nation regarding health parameters, it seems clear that we need to improve in two areas: increase the number of primary care providers and prepare physicians for rural and underserved practice by providing knowledge and skills needed.
The rural focus course is presented in the fall of the second year to all OSU medical students. The goal of the course is to provide the students with a rural perspective and provide information that is unique to rural areas from a variety of views. The differences in the rural culture and demographics make physician recruitment in rural areas more challenging. Rural representation in future D.O. leadership is needed and this course is aimed at aiding in that preparation.