West Virginia Medical Journal - 2022 - Quarter 1 | Seite 38

variability . Support from academic center . Teaching scholarly activities ” as reasons why they continued to practice at their current site in WV .
Many respondents also noted that serving the people of WV was important to them . One respondent stated WV was their “ home state ” and another “ I love WV . I want to help my state .” Whether giving back to their hometown or seeking to serve where needed most , physicians responded that they were looking for a place where they could serve a diversity of needs . Many physicians , including foreign born , noted they chose a position in WV as payback for a debt owed . Many physicians noted a variety of quality of life features that influenced their decision to practice medicine in WV , including nature , culture , opportunities for children , pace of life , and the quality of colleagues . The ability to own their practice also influenced their choice .
Respondents were asked to share the main reasons they continue to practice at their current site ( s ) in WV , with 353 participants providing responses . Similar themes and additional factors emerged , including home and family , work / life balance , the ability to practice “ true medicine ,” site support and leadership , and loyalty and commitment to their state and community . Some indicated that WV had become their home . Regarding work / life balance , physicians indicated that they
TABLE 3 : Factors that Influence the Decision to Practice Medicine in West Virginia
Financial Considerations
n
Not at All
Slightly
Moderately
Very
Extremely
Availability of Loan Forgiveness and / or Repayment Programs
358
290
17
15
12
24
Availability of Service Obligation Scholarships
363
326
13
9
4
11
Cost of Living
386
135
93
97
46
15
Salary and Earning Potential
388
113
69
115
60
31
Quality of Life
n
Not at All
Slightly
Moderately
Very
Extremely
Available Leisure Time
377
109
78
118
53
19
Employment Opportunities for Partner
371
217
48
37
40
29
Travel / Service Abroad Opportunities
372
297
31
30
6
8
Workload
377
126
67
107
54
23
Community Attributes
n
Not at All
Slightly
Moderately
Very
Extremely
Ability to Make an Impact
375
54
34
108
105
74
Connection to Religious / Spiritual Community
370
252
53
40
18
7
Desire to Return to Community I ' m From
371
212
27
43
48
41
Desire to Return to a Community Similar to Where I ' m From
365
184
43
61
50
27
Established Network of Friends / Family
375
129
50
56
78
62
Local School System
367
248
46
42
15
16
Recreational Activities in the Area
369
135
81
89
44
20
Work Environment
n
Not at All
Slightly
Moderately
Very
Extremely
Ability to Advance Career
368
134
53
95
62
24
Access to Hospital Services and Referral Sites
369
134
63
86
69
17
Access to On-Call Coverage
364
180
61
56
51
16
Broader Scope of Practice
368
162
45
70
65
26
Collegial Support / Mentorship
365
151
37
78
70
29
Fellow Providers at Practice Site
369
127
45
81
74
42
Opportunity to Conduct Research
362
256
48
34
14
10
Opportunity to Precept Medical Students
365
159
73
74
34
25
Opportunity to Teach in a Classroom / Academic Setting
364
215
49
43
34
23
Patient Mix
364
160
64
82
39
19
Employment Benefits i . e . Insurance , Retirement , Vacation )
363
143
62
82
56
20
Work Autonomy
368
83
53
96
89
47
36 • www . wvsma . org