Rural PRIME
About Rural PRIME
Rural-PRIME is part of the University of California's "PRograms In Medical Education" or PRIME, which is designed to produce physician leaders who are trained in and committed to helping California's underserved communities.
UC Davis Rural-PRIME was created in 2007 to train future physician leaders committed to advancing health equity for California’s rural communities. Twenty percent of the population in California lives in rural areas, but only nine percent of physicians practice rurally. With these disparities, rural patients have poorer outcomes on several measures than their urban counterparts: higher levels of chronic conditions, higher rates of hospitalizations and higher rates of cancer deaths. Rural-PRIME was developed to address the lack of access in rural areas, and to reduce health care disparities in rural populations. Students interested in gaining knowledge and expertise in caring for California’s rural communities are encouraged to apply regardless of their eventual specialty choice.
The goals of Rural PRIME are to:
- Strengthen the desire for new physicians to practice in rural communities in California– one of California’s most medically underserved areas
- Reduce health inequities in rural California communities
- Improve the health status of rural California residents
- Form lasting relationships with communities, hospitals, clinics and physicians to enhance health care in the region
Key aspects of the Rural PRIME curriculum include:
- Additional education on topics relevant to rural communities including rural public health issues, pesticide exposure, addiction medicine, rural law, and more
- Visiting community organizations located in or serving rural communities during years 1 and 2
- A summer elective between 1st and 2nd year of medical school with a focus on rural/underserved communities.
- A minimum of 20 weeks during their clerkship year at sites located in California’s rural communities
- Access to the COMPADRE network of residency programs serving rural and underserved communities in the Northern CA and Southern OR region. This offers additional elective opportunities throughout all 4 years of medical school.
Find out how to apply here!
All CHS students are required to participate in a week of in-person CHS orientation which is scheduled for 3 weeks prior to the start of UC Davis orientation, typically late June or early July. Following CHS orientation, students may enroll in the Pre-Matriculation program for early introduction to learning skills that will facilitate success in medical school. Details for applying for the Pre-Matriculation program are included at the time of admission to UC Davis Medical School.
We understand that there are many rural communities in the Central Valley, and many students apply to both programs for that reason! Rural PRIME students will receive more curriculum tailored to rural health and spend a minimum of 20 weeks in clerkship sites located across Northern and Central California rural communities. REACH students will receive more curriculum tailored to Central Valley specific topics and additionally spend a minimum of 24 weeks in clerkship sites located in the Central Valley. Please see our REACH page for more information.
You are expected to maintain your primary residence in the Sacramento area. For clerkships located in rural communities, we will provide housing. Additionally, all UC Davis students receive a mileage stipend for travel to sites > 25 miles away.
You do not have to be from a rural community to be a Rural PRIME student. However, commitment to practicing in California’s rural communities after completing medical training is required.
No. California’s rural communities are underserved in all fields, ranging from primary care to specialty care. We want to train physicians who are committed to practicing in California’s rural communities after they complete their medical training, regardless of specialty.
No. While there are many rural communities globally, the focus of the Rural PRIME curriculum is on local California rural health issues. However, UC Davis School of Medicine does have a growing global health program.
No. We do not require students to complete a master’s degree during medical school. However, students who wish to pursue one are eligible for additional financial support.
Yes, Rural PRIME students are eligible for additional scholarship funding each year.