Choosing a Surgery Training Environment: Rural Surgery Programs

Rural surgery is the closest experience to practicing as a general surgeon in the twenty-first century, permitting a surgeon to pursue a broad scope of practice. It is recognized that 20% of the US population live in rural areas, but only 10% of physicians practice in these areas. In this section, we want to help medical students navigate the current system by discussing the topic of rural surgery, its rewards and challenges, career goals, rural surgery residency programs and tracks, support and mentorship and the rewarding career of a rural surgeon.