Interviewing Rural Primary Care Physicians to Inform Learning Objectives for a Rural Health Curriculum

Authors

• Luke May, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
• Caleb Gayman, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
• Robert J. Motley, MD, MHCDS, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow

Document Type

Abstract

Publication Date

2-11-2026

Academic Year

2025-2026

Comments

Presented at the 2026 Scholarly Inquiry (SI) Research Project Symposium.

Abstract

Introduction/Purpose: Pennsylvania has a large rural population with too few physicians to meet medical needs. The Physician Shortage Area Program (PSAP) at SKMC works to address the shortage of primary care physicians in rural Pennsylvania. To adequately prepare future rural physicians, this project sought to obtain input from practicing PSAP graduates to inform learning objectives for a future curriculum intervention for preclinical PSAP students.

Methods: The target learner population is preclinical PSAP students at SKMC. A codebook was generated based on SKMC Graduation Competencies. Semi-structured interviews with PSAP graduates were conducted via video call, focused on those graduates practicing primary care in rural areas. Transcripts were analyzed for key, recurrent themes that could inform learning objectives.

Results/Conclusions: Nine interviews were conducted with PSAP graduates and analyzed for common themes. Preliminary results show that learning objectives should focus on the SKMC Graduation Competencies of Systems-based practice and Personal and Professional Development. A secondary area of focus was unique patient care considerations for rural practice. Based on the results of the interviews conducted, learning objectives for a future PSAP curriculum should focus primarily on supporting Systems-based Practice and Personal and Professional Development competencies. This study was limited by the small number of available PSAP graduates and the lack of generalizability to other parts of SKMC or other institutions. Future work in this area should include meeting with PSAP faculty to construct learning objectives based on these recommendations and implementing them as part of an educational intervention for lower-year PSAP students.

Recommended Citation

May, Luke; Gayman, Caleb; and Motley, MD, MHCDS, Robert J., "Interviewing Rural Primary Care Physicians to Inform Learning Objectives for a Rural Health Curriculum" (2026). Phase 1. Paper 3.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/si_me_2028_phase1/3

Language

English