How to increase the attractiveness of undergraduate rural clerkships? A cross-sectional study among medical students at two German medical schools

Abstract

ObjectivesWhile literature provides substantial evidence that undergraduate rural clerkships may contribute to attract medical students to rural careers, so far little is known about how to convince medical students to choose rural teaching sites for their clerkships, which is usually optional. Thus, this study aimed to investigate students’ preferences and perceptions regarding different rural teaching and clerkship formats, important side conditions and suitable communication strategies to promote rural clerkships.DesignCross-sectional study based on a quantitative survey among medical students in advanced study years.SettingTwo German medical schools (Leipzig and Halle-Wittenberg).ParticipantsMedical students in third to fifth year (of six).ResultsResponse rate was 87.1% with n=909 analysable questionnaires. Participants’ mean age was 25.0 years and 65.2% were women. For 97.9% of the students completing some kind of rural clerkship was imaginable, for 90.8% even participation in a rural clerkship of 4 weeks and longer. Nearly half of the students (48.0%) specified that a rural clerkship 4 weeks and longer was ‘absolutely imaginable’. Younger age, having grown up in a rural or small-town region, being able to imagine future working in a small-town or rural area, and general practice as favoured, or at least conceivable career option were independently associated with a higher willingness to complete longer rural clerkships. Financial and organisational issues including remuneration of the clerkship, cost absorption for travelling and accommodation, and accessibility by public transport were the most important side conditions to increase the attractiveness of rural clerkships. Experience reports by fellow students, social media and informational events were stated to be the most suitable ways to advertise rural teaching offers.ConclusionsThe majority of the students are open-minded regarding even longer rural clerkships. This study adds new insights into measures that should be taken to convince them to actually chose this option.

When and why do medical students drop out of extracurricular longitudinal general practice tracks? A cross-sectional study from two German medical faculties

“…These ideas are supported by data from another project hosted by our faculty that involved fostering clerkships in rural areas. Herget et al found out that ‘financial and organisational issues including remuneration of the clerkship, cost absorption for travelling and accommodation, and accessibility by public transport were the most important side conditions to increase the attractiveness of rural clerkships’ 28…”

“…Herget et al found out that 'financial and organisational issues including remuneration of the clerkship, cost absorption for travelling and accommodation, and accessibility by public transport were the most important side conditions to increase the attractiveness of rural clerkships'. 28 The mentor There is substantial knowledge on student-preceptor relationships in general and, more precisely in this context, the benefit of mentoring for medical students. [29][30][31] Brought to the point by Schultz et al, students taught in community settings value 'feedback by enthusiastic, open preceptors who are willing to discuss their reasoning processes and delegate responsibility'.…”

Factors influencing medical students’ knowledge and motivations related to the profession of family medicine and speciality choice

“…[Table12.] International comparison of the attractiveness of rural career[78][79][80][81][82][83][84]…”