DATA ANALYSIS
Survey responses were collated via RED- Cap ® and exported into SPSS ( v . 26 ) for further analysis using descriptive statistics . Data reported here focus on the pipeline and training experiences and backgrounds of physician respondents that influence recruitment and retention .
RESULTS
The final sample size was 434 after removing duplicate records ( used in pipeline data analyses ) and 428 for medical school and other training experiences . Respondents indicated having practiced in WV at some point after receiving their license . Additional demographic variables and qualitative data have been presented previously . 15
WV MEDICAL PRACTICE Characteristics
Respondents who provided a zip code for primary practice location ( n = 367 ) were based in 42 of 55 WV counties . Almost 50 % of respondents practiced in Monongalia , Kanawha , or Cabell counties , and 9.6 % of respondents had a primary practice out of state . Sixty-one percent of respondents ’ primary practice was in an urban area , 23 % practiced in a rural area , 20 and 60 % of respondents practiced in a primary care health profession shortage area . 22 Years at current practice ranged from < 1 to 50 ( n = 418 ) with the highest number of respondents at their current practice for one ( n = 29 ) or two ( n = 28 ) years . Mean years at primary practice was eight ( SD = 7.45 ) with a median of five years . Twenty-seven respondents had been at their primary practice for 20 years . Average hours per week working at primary practice ranged from < 1 to 100 , with an average of 45.12 ( SD = 20.56 ) and modes of 34 and 43 hours per week .
Influential Factors
Table 1 shows the rating of influence of different factors related to financial considerations , quality of life , community attributes , and work environment on respondents ’ decision to practice medicine in WV by medical school .
Across factors of influence in choosing WV practice ( Table 1 ), community attributes
TABLE 1 : Factors that Influence the Decision to Practice Medicine in West Virginia by Medical School Attended
Financial Considerations n Not at All Slightly Moderately Very Extremely
Availability of loan forgiveness and / or repayment programs
Availability of service obligation scholarships
352 285 17 15 12 23
MU 41 33 4 4 0 0 WVSOM 33 20 2 1 4 6
WVU 114 87 8 6 4 9 Not WV 164 145 3 4 4 8
356 320 13 8 4 11
MU 41 37 3 0 0 1 WVSOM 33 25 2 3 1 2
WVU 119 104 7 2 2 4
Not WV 163 154 1 3 1 4 Cost of Living 377 132 89 98 44 14
Salary and earning potential
MU 43 15 8 16 3 1 WVSOM 34 12 10 6 4 2
WVU 124 39 31 33 16 5 Not WV 176 66 40 43 21 6
380 109 68 114 58 31
MU 43 15 8 16 3 1 WVSOM 35 8 6 18 2 1
WVU 123 38 28 37 12 8
Not WV 179 48 26 43 41 21 Quality of Life n Not at all Slightly Moderately Very Extremely Available leisure time 382 116 77 121 49 19
Employment opportunities for partner
MU 43 13 11 13 3 3 WVSOM 34 9 10 6 8 1
WVU 134 38 29 47 15 5 Not WV 171 56 27 55 23 10
377 215 47 50 37 28
MU 43 35 1 2 3 2 WVSOM 35 23 6 3 3 0
WVU 130 59 16 29 14 12
Not WV 169 98 24 16 17 14
proved most influential ( very / extremely ) for all respondents , namely the ability to make an impact ( 48.2 %) and an established network of family and friends ( 37.3 %), though less so for non-WV graduates ( 17.6 %). Connection to religious / spiritual community ( 68.0 %) and local school system ( 65.6 %) were largely “ not at all ” influential . When asked about financial factors on the influence to practice WV medicine , salary and
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