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Journal of Medical Education

Abstract

Background: Taiwan's Publicly Funded Medical Education Program (PFMEP), launched in 1975, aimed to address urban-rural healthcare disparities. Due to limited physician retention in underserved areas, a revised second-generation program was introduced in 2016 to enhance rural workforce sustainability. Objective: This study assessed attitudes and professional identities of publicly funded medical students and their mentors four years after implementing the second-generation PFMEP, identifying gaps and providing feedback for program improvement. Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional survey examined stakeholder perceptions using a structured questionnaire covering workforce demand/career planning, clinical practice in underserved areas, and perceived program effectiveness. The survey was distributed to students and faculty across 10 participating medical schools. Of 442 invited participants, 62% responded, including 211 second-generation PFMEP students, 28 faculty mentors, and 36 first-generation PFMEP graduates. Results: Students and mentors showed significant perception differences. Students prioritized facility/equipment quality (81% vs 59%, p<0.001) and scholarship support (39% vs 13%, p<0.001), while mentors emphasized career considerations and salary. Both groups agreed on the importance of continued medical training opportunities for rural practice. Conclusions: Effective rural physician retention requires tailored approaches addressing distinct stakeholder priorities. Future physicians emphasize infrastructure quality and financial support, while current practitioners focus on career development and compensation. These findings suggest that facility investment and enhanced scholarship programs should be prioritized in refining Taiwan's publicly funded medical education program.

First Page

53

Last Page

63

DOI

10.6145/jme.202506_29(2).0004

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