And that probably translates into better overall ability to care for them. Social relationships with patients can give doctors an edge because they know things about the patients they otherwise wouldn't, he said. This knowledge often enables doctors to develop treatment programs patients will comply with. One recommendation I might make to him, as his doctor, is to stop going to the coffee and doughnut shop. And that is something I might not know about him in a larger city because he might not offer it up otherwise.
Stone now understands that diagnosing illness is just a fraction of what rural physicians do.
Assisting patients in finding food, in-home care and medications are also important parts of the job. Aaron Sinclair, first-year medical student, also completed the program in June. He too is attracted to rural practice because of the opportunities to interact both socially and intellectually with patients. Sinclair returned to his hometown of Atchison for the experience. His mentor was Ryan Thomas, MD, who sees an average of 50 patients each day.