Post-externship Survey:

We are interested in whether your attitudes about rural veterinary practice have changed as a result of your experiences.  For each item below, please select the item that best indicates your attitude about each aspect of rural practice.

What year of veterinary school are you currently in? 
1        2         3          4

What is your gender?
M  F

What is your Email Address?

Which of the following best describes your background?
Grew up in a town/city with no exposure to livestock
Grew up in a town/city with regular exposure to livestock (relative, friend)
Grew up in a town/city but worked on a farm with livestock
Grew up on a farm with livestock or worked with livestock on other farms
Grew up on a farm without livestock

At the present time, do you consider rural practice a viable option for employment after graduation? 
Definitely yes    Possibly      Definitely no

How likely is it that you will pursue a career in rural veterinary practice after graduation? 
Not at all likely  Unlikely  Undecided   Likely  Very likely

Please check all species categories in which you have significant interest
Equine Swine Beef cattle Dairy cattle Small animals (canine, feline) Exotics

Are you planning on any post-DVM training (please include any concurrent programs you are currently enrolled in)?
None
Internship
Residency
M.S.
Ph.D.
Other

Advantages & Disadvantages of Rural Practice
 

Major Disadvantage


Neutral

Major Advantage

  

a.

Recreational/leisure time activities

1

2

3

4

5

  

b.

Ability to interact with other young professionals in your age group

1

2

3

4

5

  

c.

On-call time commitment

1

2

3

4

5

  

d.

Opportunities for spouse

1

2

3

4

5

  

e.

Small school systems

1

2

3

4

5

  

f.

Total work hours in a week

1

2

3

4

5

  

g.

Availability of support staff

1

2

3

4

5

  

h.

Financial compensation

1

2

3

4

5

  

i.

Potential for working with food animal production

1

2

3

4

5

  

j.

Living in a lower population area

1

2

3

4

5

  

k.

Extensive case load in your area of interest

1

2

3

4

5

  

l.

Quality of medicine you will be able to practice

1

2

3

4

5

  

m.

Opportunities for professional growth

1

2

3

4

5

  

n.

Physical demands of a practice involving large animals

1

2

3

4

5

  

o.

Economic stability in rural areas

1

2

3

4

5

  

How likely is it that you will pursue a career in rural veterinary practice after graduation? 
Not at all likely       Unlikely          Undecided         Likely     Very likely

Would you be interested in continuing to explore rural practice by interacting with a mentoring veterinarian, either from your host practice or someone else?

Yes           No

Please describe how you will measure success in your career as a veterinarian when you stop to reflect at the end of your 5th year of practice.

Has your concept of rural practice been significantly influenced by this externship? 
Yes      No

If you answered yes to the previous question, please tell us about the type of influence the veterinarian(s) who mentored you had:
Very negative        Negative           Neutral          Positive       Very positive    

Do you have any additional comments or suggestions for improving the quality of this externship program? 

Thank you!