They develop inpatient treatment skills at the 33-bed North Caddo Memorial Hospital. Fellows master the management of medical problems, surgical conditions and special procedures, including endoscopies, treadmill testing, E.K.G., and X-ray interpretation. Today s rural areas are no longer isolated from the specialized practitioners and the technology of large metropolitan areas. Air and land medical transport, telecommunications and electronic imaging bridge the distance between country and city. All rotations are directed by board-certified specialists and integrated to enhance training in each specialty.
Emphasis is placed on acute medical emergencies and common surgical disorders.
Throughout their training, fellows are called to assist in interesting cases as well as emergencies such as myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmias, respiratory distress syndrome and closed reduction of common fractures of the extremities. Today s rural family practitioner is trained to meet the medical needs of the people in his community. He is able to to save lives. He knows when to refer to the tertiary or quaternary medical center, but his skills far surpass proficiency in triage. The Rural Family Practice Fellowship has been established to equip physicians who choose the rural lifestyle with appropriate, thorough training in emergency procedures and complete healthcare for all ages.