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Rural career choice issues as reported by first year medical students and rural general practitioners
G T Somers1, A E Young, R Strasser
1School of Rural Health, Monash University, PO Box 424, Traralgon, Victoria 3844, Australia. george.somers@med.monash.edu.au
The Australian Journal of Rural Health
|May 10, 2002
Summary
Government programs aim to attract medical students to rural practice. However, research indicates that while similarities exist, differences between rural general practitioners (GPs) and students suggest caution when designing rural health initiatives.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Rural Health Workforce
- General Practice
Background:
- Government initiatives increasingly focus on recruiting medical students to rural practice.
- The effectiveness of interventions based on rural general practitioners' (GPs) priorities for undergraduate medical students remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze and compare the importance of personal and practice issues for Australian rural GPs and Victorian medical students.
- To assess how student gender, origin, and intended practice location influence their perspectives.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of two studies: one surveying rural GPs and another surveying medical students.
- Assessment of demographic factors (gender, origin, intended practice location) on student perspectives.
Main Results:
- Practicing rural GPs may have overcome issues relevant to students and can offer valuable advice.
- Medical students' desired practice styles may align with those sought by female GPs.
- Identified similarities and differences between GP and student perspectives on rural practice.
Conclusions:
- While rural GPs and medical students share some views on rural practice, significant differences exist.
- Caution is advised when developing medical student programs for rural practice solely based on rural GP research.