Factors Influencing Graduating Medical Students in Puerto Rico to Pursue a Primary Care Residency in the Continental United States

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Primary care physician shortage represents a challenge for many countries and territories, including Puerto Rico (PR), where a significant proportion of the graduating medical students preferred the continental United States (C-US) to complete their training and even as the definitive setting for their practice. We surveyed medical students who graduated from medical schools in PR and have been accepted in a residency program to evaluate the influence of a set of demographics, academic, and personal factors in their decision to pursue a primary care residency program in the C-US. Methods: A 19-item questionnaire was distributed by institutional email to those medical students who graduated from one of the four Liaison Committee on Medical Education fully accredited medical schools in PR in 2019. We summarized our data by frequency and percentages. We performed data analysis with statistical significance considered for P values <.05. Results: The questionnaire had a response rate of 51% (138/273), where 49% (67/138) were accepted in a primary care residency. Sixty percent (40/67) matched in a primary care program in the C-US. Among the evaluated factors, a prior degree in C-US (65%) and first-degree relatives living in the C-US (70%) were associated with students who matched in the mainland. First-degree relatives living in PR (96%) were associated with students who remained on the island for training. Conclusions: The results provide insight into the influence that personal factors have on the decision of medical students in PR to pursue primary care training in the C-US.