The consistent pattern of more positive outcomes among loan repayment participants compared with scholarship recipients indicates that the loan repayment program has greater impact in achieving NHSC objectives. The NHSC seems to achieve better outcomes in rural communities. The report suggests the smaller size of the communities and their organizations may enable young clinicians to make relatively important contributions in a short period, thereby enhancing their professional gratification. Better recognition and support of clinicians' families might enhance retention and family integration into the local community. Greater reliance on the loan repayment instead of the scholarship program would allow the NHSC to make more rapid adjustments to the mix of health professionals it enrolls and deploys, reflecting the expressed needs of communities and changes in HRSA's strategic objectives.
Dentists play a crucial role in expanding access to care for underserved populations.
Contributions from NHSC include extending and expanding access to basic health care services and to improving the health care delivery system in underserved communities. This report documents those contributions. Outstanding among the contributions of NHSC clinicians are the substantial number of community-oriented primary care programs for a wide variety of population subgroups. The various programs have increased the volume and broadened the array of available services reaching new clients. Key informants included directors of state health agencies, directors of state offices of minority health, legislators, governors, advisory councils, grassroots organizations, and other identified community groups.