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Assessment of a Curricular Component Designed to Introduce Physical Therapy Students to Rural Practice Issues
Author(s) -
LaPorta Laura,
McWhorter J. Wesley,
Naas Edith
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
the journal of rural health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.439
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1748-0361
pISSN - 0890-765X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1748-0361.2002.tb00901.x
Subject(s) - graduation (instrument) , rural area , rural health , medicine , medical education , clinical practice , family medicine , nursing , psychology , geometry , mathematics , pathology
A rural health curricular component was designed for students enrolled in a physical therapy program in Nevada to change student attitudes about rural practice and to encourage more physical therapy students to seek employment in rural areas postgraduation. Student attitudes and beliefs related to rural practice were investigated following participation in a rural health conference and a full‐time rural clinical afiliation. Twelve students (N = 12) participated. All reported positive impressions of rural practice after participating in the rural clinical afiliation and nine (75%) were favorable toward seeking employment in a rural setting. Two (17%) accepted rural health positions following graduation. Clinical experience in a rural setting m found to have the greatest influence on student attitudes about rural practice.