Dedicated Rural General Surgery Residency Track Helps Workforce in Rural Areas

 Barber JC, Velez DR, Johnson SW, et al. Effectiveness of a Dedicated Rural General Surgery Residency Track: A 13-Year Analysis of the First ACGME Designated Rural Track. Am Surg. 2025; in press.

Effective interventions to reduce the shortage of general surgeons practicing in rural settings are clearly needed. This study reported results of a survey of residents who participated in a dedicated rural educational tract that was implemented within a general surgery residency program in North Dakota.

The surveyed residents (n = 15) participated in the track over a 12-year interval. The track provided education and clinical case experiences in general surgery, endoscopy, obstetrics/gynecology, urology, and orthopaedic surgery.

Responses were obtained from 12 of the 15 graduates; 83% of the group chose the track because they wanted to practice in a rural setting; 75% currently practice in a rural community.

The respondents indicated that they performed endoscopic procedures, hand surgery, and C-sections. They emphasized that more training in urology, ENT, OB-GYN, advanced endoscopy, interventional radiology, and dermatology would be beneficial.

The authors concluded that the track had been successful in providing surgeons for rural areas. The survey results suggested that a broader experience would provide better preparation for rural practice.