@article {LovatoE415, author = {Chris Y. Lovato and Helen C.H. Hsu and Joanna Bates and Oscar Casiro and Angela Towle and David Snadden}, title = {The regional medical campus model and rural family medicine practice in British Columbia: a retrospective longitudinal cohort study}, volume = {7}, number = {2}, pages = {E415--E420}, year = {2019}, doi = {10.9778/cmajo.20180205}, publisher = {Canadian Medical Association Open Access Journal}, abstract = {Background: Regional medical campuses have been implemented across North America to address gaps in the physician workforce. We report findings from a study that examined the association between a combined model of regional medical campuses and students{\textquoteright} decision to enter rural family medicine practice.Methods: In 2004, the University of British Columbia added 2 regional medical campuses, 1 in a large population centre in a rural and coastal context and 1 in a medium-sized population centre in an isolated northern and rural context. Data were extracted from the University of British Columbia{\textquoteright}s Medical Education Database. Multivariable logistic regression examined the relationship of age, sex, rural background and campus location to students{\textquoteright} choice of rural family medicine practice.Results: There was an association between campus location and choice of family medicine versus other specialties. A rural background (odds ratio [OR] 2.59, 95\% confidence interval [CI] 1.08{\textendash}6.21) and training at either of the 2 regional medical campuses (OR 3.24, 95\% CI 1.19{\textendash}8.83 and OR 5.38, 95\% CI 2.24{\textendash}12.91) predicted rural family practice.Interpretation: Choosing to practise family medicine in a rural location was associated with having a rural background and having trained at a regional medical campus. These early results suggest that a combined regional campus model in medical education contributes to the rural family practice workforce.}, URL = {https://www.cmajopen.ca/content/7/2/E415}, eprint = {https://www.cmajopen.ca/content/7/2/E415.full.pdf}, journal = {Canadian Medical Association Open Access Journal} }