National Health Service Corp: A survey of Alabama's scholarship recipients

Abstract

In April 1979, 41 Alabama medical students who had received scholarships from the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) were surveyed. The students were predominantly single urban individuals who received their initial NHSC scholarship in the first or second year of medical school. The majority who planned primary care careers were undecided about remaining in the NHSC after their commitment. The students were concerned about the logistics of the NHSC and practice in rural areas. Based on their response, it is suggested that medical schools, The American Medical Student Association, and the NHSC develop a series of activities designed to facilitate the NHSC scholarship recipients subsequent activities in the NHSC. These suggestions include elective credit for NHSC/AMSA (American Medical Student Association) preceptorships, curriculum offering that facilitate the physician's practice in underserved communities, and activities that facilitate the medical school faculties' understanding of the NHSC.