This week’s ArkansasHealthCareers.com video webisode takes aim at the stigma surrounding primary care in general, and rural practice primary care specifically. The argument in many of today’s medical schools is, “As a rural primary care doc, you’ll have limited resources, you’ll work yourself to death, and you won’t get as much respect or make as much money doing it as your rural counterparts.” This argument is hollow at best and purposefully specious at worst.

We hear in this week’s video from Darren Caldwell, the CEO of DeWitt Hospital, who tells us how emerging technologies connect rural areas to the rest of the world, and how rural docs are paid as much, if not more, than their urban colleagues. We also hear from Dr. Stan Burleson, who talks about the respect he gets from the residents of DeWitt and the pride feels being a real family doc, caring for generation after generation of local families. Finally, we also hear from Dr. H. Marks Attwood, residency director at AHEC Pine Bluff, about why he loves living and practicing in rural southeast Arkansas.

The truth is clear when you talk to these folks on the front lines: rural medicine is rewarding for numerous reasons. Click here to go straight to the video, or read on for a brief discussion of why rural practice might be great fit for you.

First off, you can make more money in a rural setting than in a big city. The fact of the matter is there isn’t as much competition from other groups of doctors, which means reimbursement rates are likely to be higher. You’ll also have more opportunities to work and do procedures that are of more value in the marketplace.

Secondly, you’ll likely have more control over your work schedule. This means you can dictate how much or how little money you want to make based on what kind of work-life balance you want. Most rural communities are happy to have you, and most hospital CEO’s are happy to make the arrangement work for you.

Thirdly, it is obvious when talking to these professionals that the trust and respect for doctors in rural areas is enormous. Your patients are grateful to have you as part of their community, and they respect your knowledge and commitment to your work.

Finally, the rural lifestyle can be very attractive. If you like a more relaxed living environment less cluttered with anxiety and skepticism, you would enjoy a rural setting. Whether it’s agriculture, hunting and fishing, or hiking in the mountains, rural Arkansas has much to offer a practicing physician in his or her off hours.

So check out the video below to hear more about rural medicine in the delta region of Arkansas from the folks who know it best. You can also check out our previous post, The Rural Reality: 7 Reasons You Should Practice Rural Medicine, for even more information!