Factors Associated With the Recruitment of Primary Care Workforce in Rural Vermont: A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Rural Health
• Healthcare Workforce Development
• Primary Care Medicine

Background:

• Rural communities face challenges in recruiting and retaining primary care professionals (PCPs).
• Addressing the healthcare needs of aging populations in rural areas requires a stable PCP workforce.
• Existing recruitment strategies often prioritize financial incentives, with limited success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key factors influencing the recruitment of PCPs in rural Vermont.
• To inform the development of effective strategies for rural healthcare workforce development.
• To specifically address the needs of the aging population in rural Vermont.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study utilizing structured interviews.
• Participants included Family Medicine residents and Doctor of Nurse Practitioner (DNP) students interested in primary care.
• Interview questions informed by roundtable discussions with rural PCPs; data analyzed using thematic, inductive methods.

Main Results:

• Personal and lifestyle factors are more influential than financial incentives in PCP recruitment.
• Key factors include prior rural experience, preference for rural living, and community attributes (housing, education, politics).
• Decision-making for rural practice involves a complex interplay of personal and community factors.

Conclusions:

• Recruitment strategies must extend beyond financial incentives for rural PCPs.
• Emphasize rural exposure in medical education and clinical rotations.
• Understanding diverse motivations is critical for successful rural healthcare recruitment.