Strong demand to fill physician jobs in rural areas of the United States continues to plague the nation. According to the National Rural Health Association, just one out of 10 doctors practices in rural areas, where one-fourth of the nation's population lives.

But this can be good news for the physicians themselves.

There is an ongoing myth that physicians in rural America are not as well trained as doctors in larger metropolitan areas. But this is definitely not true – all physicians are equally well trained, required to maintain licensure, and required to keep up with medical advances to maintain certification.

The financial compensation for physicians in some areas may not be as high as in larger metropolitan areas, but the proportionate cost of living mirrors the economics of the region, and physicians fare well from a monetary standpoint. There are also other financial incentives and non-financial rewards for becoming a rural doctor.

Physicians may be wise to choose work in rural areas for many reasons:

• They are able to establish more effective relationships with their patients to enable them to offer better treatment alternatives.

• They are able to utilize their knowledge and skills more effectively, rather than deal with a highly complex bureaucratic system that plagues larger cities and hospitals.

• Physicians are not only able to treat illness and problems, but they are able to take time to educate patients on self-care and preventative measures for improved health.

• Since managed care is less accessible in rural areas, there is less ‘red tape’ for physicians and lower malpractice insurance costs.

Many rural physicians are able to negotiate attractive sign-on bonuses or annual financial incentives for long-term commitment to a community. General practitioners are in highest demand and specialists are less likely to be attracted to rural regions.

With more than 50 million people living in rural areas and these numbers growing, the demand and crisis for physicians in rural areas will continue. This creates opportunities for doctors who are looking to establish a much-needed practice in areas where their medical skills are highly valued and rewards reach far beyond medical care.

Labels: Physician jobs