Rural experience for junior doctors: is it time to make it mandatory?

To determine whether rural practice terms for junior doctors result in increased interest in rural practice and whether these terms improve learning experiences, clinical skills and insight into difficulties of rural practice.

Semistructured, self-administered survey with questions on respondent demographics, clinical experience during rural practice terms, post-rural experience and personal opinion.

South East Queensland.

Thirty junior doctors from three tertiary hospitals were approached. The response rate was 100%.

Exploration of junior doctors' rural term experience.

Two thirds (67%) of the respondents reported feeling uncomfortable with respect to clinical practice requirements during their rural terms. Half (47%) performed procedures they had only previously performed in simulation environments, and the majority (87%) relied on textbooks or other resources on a daily basis. Two thirds (67%) changed aspects of their usual clinical practice while practising in a rural setting, and 80% reported a change in attitude towards the hardships faced by rural practitioners. The majority of the respondents (87%) enjoyed their rural term, gaining confidence as a result of it, and more than half (53%) reported considering working in rural areas in the future.

The results of this survey suggest that junior doctors on rural rotations are required to perform at a clinical level higher than that required of them in metropolitan hospitals. While their clinical experience appears to result in a greater interest in future rural career possibilities for junior doctors, this survey highlights the requirement to improve support for junior doctors undertaking terms in rural areas.