Background and objectives: Physicians who incorporate a community perspective into their clinical practice can provide more effective care, but little is known about the type of training that helps physicians include this perspective. This study examines associations between physicians' current level of involvement in their communities and a range of prior educational experiences.
Methods: We obtained data from 247 recently graduated primary care physicians through a nationwide mail survey. Physicians described their community-related training experiences during medical school and residency. They also described their current involvement in each of 4 domains of community work. Associations between different training experiences and physicians' current community involvement were examined.
Results: Subjects generally reported limited community-related training. Physicians who did receive training in content relevant to a given community domain were significantly more involved in that domain as practicing physicians. Rotating in rural locations and having a mentor active in the community also were associated with greater current community involvement.
Conclusions: These data provide evidence that formal training experiences can influence how actively physicians will later interact with their communities. We should provide medical students and residents with educational content in all 4 domains of community work, place them in carefully selected locations, and arrange mentor relationships.