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SIERRA VISTA — A nationwide physician shortage is one of health care’s hottest topics.
And it’s a shortage that has hit Arizona, especially the rural areas, particularly hard.
As part of a program designed to draw health professionals into the state’s rural, medically underserved areas, every summer for the past 10 years physicians in communities throughout Arizona have been mentoring medical students from the University of Arizona College of Medicine.
The students work with the doctors for four to six weeks during the summer through each year of medical school. It’s hoped that by returning to the same community, the medical students will be encouraged to practice in rural areas after they graduate.
 Mike Kushner, a second-year University of Arizona College of Medicine student, listens to patient Albert Garcia during an examination at Family Health Center. As Kushner’s professional mentor through the university’s Rural Health Professions Program, Dr. Ralph Mayberry also listens to the patient’s heart and lung sounds. (Dana Cole-Herald/Review) |
Mike Kushner, now in his second year of medical school at the UA, is participating in the program, working side-by-side with Dr. Ralph Mayberry, family practitioner.
He starts his mornings by conducting rounds at Sierra Vista Regional Health Center with the doctor, checking on hospitalized clients.
The remainder of the day is spent at Mayberry’s practice, Family Health Center, helping a steady stream of patients with a variety of health problems. Mayberry and Kushner discuss different cases, go over medical charts, write prescriptions and look at lab results.
The rural health program gives medical students an opportunity to see firsthand how a practice operates, as well as introduces them to some of the unique health care needs of rural communities.
Established in 1997 by the state Legislature, the program’s goal is to help increase the number of physicians practicing in Arizona’s rural areas.
The experience not only benefits the medical students, but it gives the physician-preceptors an opportunity to enhance their teaching skills through faculty development and continuing medical education programs conducted by the university’s college of medicine.
Kushner is the third student Mayberry has mentored.
“Mike sits in on medical exams and procedures, if the patient allows it,” Mayberry said. “Most of my patients have no problem with him accompanying me in the exam room.”
Mayberry said he likes the way the UA integrates lecture settings and book learning with hands-on clinical work throughout the student’s four years of medical school.
“I’ve enjoyed participating in this program,” he added. “I learn from the students, and the students learn from me, so it’s a win-win for both of us.”
Every year, the UA takes 15 students with an interest in rural areas for the program.
“The students continue to work with the same doctor through medical school,” Kushner said. “I’ll be coming back to work with Dr. Mayberry two more times.”
By having students return to the same community each year, it’s hoped they will develop an appreciation for the area’s culture and community character and begin to experience the lifestyle of rural residents. Working with health providers in rural settings allows students to gain an understanding of the unique health care needs in rural populations.
In Kushner’s case, coming to Sierra Vista seems an ideal arrangement.
The son of a military family, Kushner was born at Raymond W. Bliss Army Hospital on Fort Huachuca. His family moved away from the area for awhile, but then returned. He attended Buena High School where he graduated as valedictorian of his class in 2000. Kushner’s parents and grandmother live here, so he has close family ties in Sierra Vista.
While it’s possible Kushner will be practicing in the area after he graduates, he’s not making any promises.
“It’s just too early for me to make that kind of decision,” he said. “I’m very comfortable in this area and I like it here. But I just don’t know for sure where I’m going to be working once I graduate.”
Kushner’s professional options are wide open. He already has a master’s degree in public health, or MPH, which means he’ll have two professional degrees once he graduates from medical school. As a widely recognized professional credential in public health, the MPH is designed for leadership roles in state, federal, international health or the private sector.
“The two degrees definitely complement each other,” Mayberry said. “He has a lot of flexibility. He can work as a physician or go into public health where there are all kinds of career opportunities.”
Kushner started working at Mayberry’s practice on June 18 and will continue there until July 27. He has two more years at the UA college of medicine before graduating as a medical doctor.
Herald/Review reporter Dana Cole can be reached at 515-4618 or by e-mail at dana.cole@svherald.com.
Arizona’s doctor shortage
Designated by the U.S. Census Bureau as the fastest-growing state in the nation, Arizona has a critical need for more physicians — especially in rural areas. In 2005 Arizona had a ratio of 219 physicians per 100,000 people — compared to the national average of 293 physicians per 100,000. The data on Arizona’s rural doctor-population ratio are even more distressing: 130 physicians per 100,000.
— University of Arizona
Donzo wrote on Jul 18, 2007 4:30 PM: