Comparison of postdoctoral residents who were at schools with pipeline programs and those who were not: Impact on career choices?

Lutheran Medical Center (LMC) sponsors the largest postdoctoral residency training program in the United States with close to 300 residents, who spend their residency year or two in FQHC environments. One of the objectives has always been to train residents who would remain in CHCs as a career choice and increase access for those most vulnerable. Similarly, the predoctoral Pipeline program was to have students gain significant experience in extramural settings within underserved areas. While much has been written about the Pipeline program there is precious little data comparing the impact of Pipeline experiences and future career choices; and comparing these to residents who were not part of the Pipeline experience. This study through the use of retrospective data and a specifically designed survey seeks to compare postdoctoral residents who experienced the Pipeline Program and those who did not. For example did those residents involved in the Pipeline and the LMC residency select career pathways that were significantly different than those who were only in the LMC residency. The retrospective analysis will assess career pathways and other variables that may impact career choices to care for the underserved as part of the residency training experience. While the LMC residency training experience reinforces the Pipeline experiences it is not known whether this additive experience in caring for underserved populations for one or two years is a critical factor in career choice. Analysis will also look at schools attended by residents and other past experiences that may have had a significant impact.