Mark Doescher, MD, MSPH

Email: mark-doescher@ouhsc.edu

Completed Projects - (9)
Publications - (36)

Completed Projects - (9)

Aging of the Rural Generalist Physician Workforce: Will Some Locations Be More Affected than Others?
This study will identify rural locations with high proportions of generalist physicians nearing retirement age.
Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Physicians, Workforce
Breast, Cervical, Colorectal, and Prostate Cancer Screening in Rural America: Does Proximity to a Metropolitan Area Matter?
The study compared cancer screening rates among various levels of rural versus urban Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System respondents and among white respondents versus those from racial/ethnic minority groups.
Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Cancer, Health disparities and health equity, Health promotion and disease prevention, Minority health
Burden of Asthma Among Rural Residents: A National Study
This study uses data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to examine the prevalence of and trends in asthma among rural residents by type of geographic location and by key risk factors.
Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Chronic diseases and conditions, Health disparities and health equity, Minority health, Rural statistics and demographics
Current Contribution of Physicians, Advanced Practice Nurses, and Physician Assistants to the Rural Primary Care Workforce
This two-year, multi-state study is examining the practices of rural physicians, nurse practitioners (NPs), and physician assistants (PAs) regarding their primary care visit productivity and scope of practice. Through surveys, this study will examine the contributions of physicians, NPs, and PAs by state, degree of practice rurality, practice characteristics, and primary care HPSA status in order to provide information on a range of rural primary care workforce needs.
Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Nurses and nurse practitioners, Physician assistants, Physicians, Workforce
Dentist Supply, Access to Dental Care, and Oral Health Among Rural and Urban Residents: A National Study
This study will determine whether shortages of dentists in rural areas of the U.S. are associated with impaired access to dental care and a higher prevalence of dental disease.
Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Oral health, Workforce
General and Specialist Surgeon Supply and Inpatient Procedural Content: A National Rural-Urban Study
This study will examine the degree to which access to inpatient surgical care in rural areas is affected by the diminishing workforce of general surgeons. Using inpatient surgical procedure data, we will examine the availability and content of general surgical procedures in rural and urban hospitals nationally as a function of surgeon supply.
Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Topic: Workforce
Policy Analyses of Rural Issues Related to Health Care Reform
Health care reform provides an array of opportunities to improve health care access and quality for rural Americans. The WWAMI RHRC will support HRSA's efforts to inform this process by summarizing existing evidence characterizing the rural health care workforce and rural health care delivery and will conduct analyses exploring the potential impact on rural populations of proposed and newly- enacted health care reform legislation.
Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Topic: Health services
The Rural/Urban Practice Location Patterns of Women Medical School Graduates
While women are becoming an increasingly large percentage of the graduates of medical schools, they are much less likely to locate their practices in rural towns. This study involved a survey including questions about where the residents preferred to locate and how much they thought they would be practicing in the future.
Research center: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Physicians, Women, Workforce
Unhealthy Lifestyle Behaviors Among Minority Group Members: A National Rural and Urban Study
Research center: Rural and Minority Health Research Center
Topics: Health disparities and health equity, Health promotion and disease prevention, Minority health

Publications - (36)

2015

Assessing Rural-Urban Nurse Practitioner Supply and Distribution in 12 States Using Available Data Sources
Policy Brief
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 08/2015
This study compared estimates of nurse practitioner supply in 12 states (statewide and rural vs. urban) derived from two sources: state license records and National Provider Identifier data.
Recruitment of Non-U.S. Citizen Physicians to Rural and Underserved Areas Through Conrad State 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Programs
Report
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 07/2015
Conrad 30 programs allow international medical graduates (IMGs) on J-1 visas to remain in the U.S. after their residencies to provide healthcare for medically underserved populations. Information from state health department personnel was used to characterize national trends in waivers and factors related to states' successful recruitment of IMGs.
Dentist Supply, Dental Care Utilization, and Oral Health Among Rural and Urban U.S. Residents
Report
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 05/2015
Residents of non-metropolitan counties were less likely than those in metropolitan counties to report having dental visits or teeth cleanings in the last year and more likely to report undergoing tooth extractions. These findings persisted even when controlling for demographic factors, income, insurance, and health/smoking status.
Variability in General Surgical Procedures in Rural and Urban U.S. Hospital Inpatient Settings
Report
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 03/2015
This report addresses rural/urban differences in surgical practices in commonly performed inpatient surgical procedures that are typically handled by general surgeons. Findings indicate that rural hospitals concentrated on relatively common, low complexity procedures that can be handled by general surgeons.

2014

The Contribution of Physicians, Physician Assistants, and Nurse Practitioners Toward Rural Primary Care: Findings From a 13-state Survey
Journal Article
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 06/2014
Evaluates a questionnaire that measures weekly outpatient visits and services provided in a rural setting.
Do Rural Patients With Early-Stage Prostate Cancer Gain Access to All Treatment Choices? (Final Report)
Report
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 02/2014
This report compares rates of receipt of prostate cancer treatments and of the treatment options between early-stage prostate cancer patients living in urban and four levels of rural counties.

2013

Inadequate Prenatal Care Among Racial and Ethnic Groups in the Rural United States, 2005
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 10/2013
This brief reports that in most states, rural minority racial/ethnic groups had levels of inadequate prenatal care (less than 50% of expected visits) in the "worst" or "worse than mid-range" categories.
Inadequate Prenatal Care in the Rural United States, 2005
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 10/2013
This policy brief finds that the states with levels of rural inadequate prenatal care (less than 50% of expected visits) in the "worst" or "worse than mid-range" categories were largely in southern and southwestern areas of the United States.
Low Birth Weight Rates Among Racial and Ethnic Groups in the Rural United States, 2005
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 10/2013
Reports that non-hispanic blacks generally had the highest rural low birth weight rates of all races/ethnicities, regardless of geographic location.
Low Birth Weight Rates in the Rural United States, 2005
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 10/2013
This brief shares that the rural U.S. low birth weight rate in 2005 was significantly higher than the urban U.S. low birth weight rate.
The Aging of the Rural Primary Care Physician Workforce: Will Some Locations Be More Affected than Others?
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 09/2013
This report shows that as the aging primary care physician population retires, rural provider shortages will be further exacerbated.
Rural Residency Training for Family Medicine Physicians: Graduate Early-Career Outcomes, 2008-2012
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 01/2013
This policy brief provides an update on the rural and shortage area practice outcomes of family physicians who have completed graduate medical education in Rural Training Track (RTT) residency programs.

2012

The Contributions of Community Colleges to the Education of Allied Health Professionals in Rural Areas of the United States
Policy Brief
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 10/2012
This policy brief describes where community college allied health education programs (of those most relevant to rural healthcare delivery) are located in relation to rural populations and small rural hospitals.
The Contributions of Community Colleges to the Education of Allied Health Professionals in Rural Areas of the United States (Final Report)
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 10/2012
Community colleges educate a significant portion of the nation's allied health workforce, and because they have a history of educating residents of their communities for local jobs, they are important to the economies of many rural communities.
Receipt of Recommended Radiation Therapy Among Rural and Urban Cancer Patients (Summary)
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 10/2012
This study examines whether rural patients with cancer are less likely than their urban counterparts to receive recommended radiation therapy. The study also identifies factors influencing rural versus urban differences in radiation therapy receipt.
Characteristics of Rural RNs Who Live and Work in Different Communities
Policy Brief
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 09/2012
This policy brief explores why many registered nurses living in rural areas of the United States leave their communities to work in other rural and urban communities.
Characteristics of Rural RNs Who Live and Work in Different Communities (Final Report)
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 09/2012
This study explores factors associated with registered nurses' decisions to commute away from their rural areas of residence for work.
Rural Residency Training for Family Medicine Physicians: Graduate Early-Career Outcomes
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 01/2012
This policy brief describes the characteristics of family physicians who have completed graduate medical education in Rural Training Track residency programs and their outcomes in terms of practice in rural communities, health professional shortage areas, and safety net facilities.

2011

Training Physicians for Rural Practice: Capitalizing on Local Expertise to Strengthen Rural Primary Care
Policy Brief
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 01/2011
This policy brief explains the challenges of ensuring sufficient numbers of well-prepared family physicians for rural communities and describes the Rural Training Track (RTT) Technical Assistance Program, a strategy to utilize local expertise in sustaining the "1-2" RTT as a national model for training physicians for rural practice.

2010

The Future of Family Medicine and Implications for Rural Primary Care Physician Supply (Final Report)
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 08/2010
This report examines the rural physician shortage, the effect of recent trends in specialty choice on provider supply, and major trends that are changing the dynamics that shape the delivery of healthcare.
Family Medicine Residency Training in Rural Locations (Final Report)
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 07/2010
This survey of family medicine residency programs found 33 rural programs accounted for more than 80% of family medicine training in rural sites. Expansion of rural family medicine training is limited by Medicare graduate medical education funding caps, financial hardships facing rural hospitals, and the challenges of creating programs.

2009

Persistent Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and Health Care Access in Rural America
Policy Brief
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 09/2009
This policy brief finds that resources are needed to increase and sustain the number of primary care providers and reduce financial barriers to care in all rural primary care health professional shortage areas.

2008

Trends in Cervical and Breast Cancer Screening Practices Among Women in Rural and Urban Areas of the United States
Policy Brief
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 08/2008
This policy brief documents the receipt of timely breast and cervical cancer screening using a rural-urban classification system and nationally representative data.
Trends in Cervical and Breast Cancer Screening Practices Among Women in Rural and Urban Areas of the United States (Final Report)
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 08/2008
This policy brief reports on trends in breast cancer screening practices. Participation in mammography improved nationally, but women living in rural locations remained less likely to receive the test than those living in urban settings.

2007

2005 Physician Supply and Distribution in Rural Areas of the United States (Full Report)
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 11/2007
This study describes the 2005 supply and distribution of physicians (including osteopathic physicians and international medical graduates), with particular emphasis on generalists in rural areas.
2005 Physician Supply and Distribution in Rural Areas of the United States (Project Summary)
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 11/2007
This summary describes the 2005 supply and distribution of physicians (including osteopathic physicians and international medical graduates), with particular emphasis on generalists in rural areas.
A National Study of Lifetime Asthma Prevalence and Trends in Metro and Non-Metro Counties, 2000-2003 (Full Report)
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 01/2007
This paper reports the findings of a study regarding the prevalence of and recent trends in asthma among adults residing in metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties in the United States.
A National Study of Lifetime Asthma Prevalence and Trends in Metro and Non-Metro Counties, 2000-2003 (Project Summary)
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 01/2007
This summary provides a brief overview of the findings from a study of the prevalence of and recent trends in asthma among adults residing in metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties in the United States.

2006

Problem Drinking: Rural and Urban Trends in America, 1995/1997 to 2003
Journal Article
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 03/2006
Assesses the prevalence of, and recent trends in, alcohol use among adults 18 years and older in rural areas of the United States. The paper finds that heavy drinking was highest and increasing in urban areas, but that binge drinking was greater in rural areas. It recommends tailoring interventions specifically to meet the needs of rural residents.
Prevalence and Trends in Smoking: A National Rural Study
Journal Article
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 2006
Using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the prevalence of smoking between 1994-1996 and 2000-2001 did not change substantially for the United States as a whole. The prevalence of smoking for rural residents decreased by more than 2 percent in six states. However, it increased by 2 percent or more in ten states.

2005

A National Study of Obesity Prevalence and Trends by Type of Rural County
Journal Article
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 2005
Analyzes data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System for 1994-1996 and 2000-2001 to estimate the recent trends in obesity among U.S. adults residing in rural locations. In 2000-2001 the prevalence of obesity was 23.0% for rural adults and 20.5% for urban, representing increases of 4.8% and 5.5%, respectively, since 1994-1996.
Trends in Professional Advice to Lose Weight Among Obese Adults, 1994-2000
Journal Article
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 2005

The authors studied whether rising obesity prevalence in the U.S. was accompanied by an increasing trend in professional advice to lose weight among obese adults, and found that disparities in professional advice to lose weight associated with income and educational attainment increased from 1994 to 2000. They concluded that there is a need for mechanisms that allow healthcare professionals to devote sufficient attention to weight control and to link with evidence-based weight loss interventions, especially those that target groups most at risk for obesity.

2004

Obesity Prevalence in Rural Counties: A National Study
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 01/2004
Using a telephone survey of adults ages 18 and older residing in states participating in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System in 1994-96 and 2000-01, researchers found that the prevalence of obesity was 23% for rural adults and 20.5% for urban adults.

2000

U.S. Medical Schools and the Rural Family Physician Gender Gap
Journal Article
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 05/2000
Women comprise increasing proportions of med school graduates. They tend to choose primary care but are less likely than men to choose rural practice. This study identified the U.S. medical schools most successful at producing rural family physicians and general practitioners of both genders.
The Distribution of Rural Female Generalist Physicians in the United States
Journal Article
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 2000
Female physicians are underrepresented in rural areas. What impact might the increasing proportion of women in medicine have on the rural physician shortage? To begin addressing this question, we present data describing the geographic distribution of female physicians in the United States.

1999

The Production of Rural Female Generalists by U.S. Medical Schools
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Date: 05/1999
This paper compares the production of rural female generalists among medical schools. Data from the AMA Physician Masterfile for the 1988-1996 graduate cohort were used to compare the production of rural female generalists by medical school. Outcome measures included total number and percentage of rural female generalist graduates of each school.