Training Psychiatrists in New Mexico: Reflections from Psychiatry Residents Who Participated in a Rural Track Versus a Traditional Program Alone over the Past Decade

OBJECTIVE: With over 60% of rural Americans living in mental health professional shortage areas, there is a need for providing psychiatry residents training experiences in rural communities with the goal of increasing the likelihood that they will end up practicing in those same communities following graduation. The purpose of this study was to survey previous and current psychiatry residents, with the goal of describing the impact of the program on rural track residents compared to those in the traditional residency track. METHODS: Psychiatry residents 2010–2020 completed an online survey. For those who participated in the rural residency track, the survey asked additional questions regarding barriers experienced practicing in rural areas (e.g., professional isolation) and whether the goals of the rural track were met. RESULTS: Seventy-four residents completed surveys, with 26% in the “Rural Track Group” (RTG) and 74% in the “Non-rural Track Group” (NTG). More RTG reported they were more likely to practice in rural, frontier, or underserved areas after residency compared to NTG (74% versus 60%). Most RTG (72%) strongly agreed the rural program helped meet goals. Distance from family was a top barrier for current RTG (63%), followed by concerns about local schools, social isolation, and reduced career opportunities for partners (45%). CONCLUSIONS: Residents of the RTG were more likely to consider a career in a rural area than those of the traditional program alone. Psychiatry residency requirements should be reviewed to address top rural training barriers to promote retention in rural areas.