Perceptions of Improved Wellbeing and Social Isolation Among Medical Students During Rural Clinical School (RCS)...

To investigate the trends in the perceived social isolation and improved wellbeing of Australian medical students over a 6-year period (2017-2022) during their rural clinical school (RCS) placements.

Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regressions to identify the trends and factors contributing to perceived social isolation and improved wellbeing during RCS placements.

This is a retrospective, cross-sectional study of the 2017-2022 FRAME (Federation of Rural Australian Medical Educators) dataset.

Data were collected from 2915 Australian medical students who completed RCS placements.

Respondents were located at RCS placements across 19 Australian universities.

The main outcomes were self-reported social isolation and improvement in wellbeing.

Over 30% of respondents reported experiencing social isolation. Factors contributing to social isolation were preference to practice in a capital city and lack of financial or overall support from the RCS, while lack of academic isolation was protective. More than 80% of respondents perceived the RCS placement had a positive impact on their wellbeing. Positive influences on wellbeing were associated with active role-modelling of self-care, support services and mentorship by a rural-based clinician. The COVID-19 years did not significantly impact perceived social isolation or improved wellbeing.

Most medical students on RCS placements reported positive impacts on their wellbeing, while over 30% experienced social isolation. Targeted support strategies that reduce social isolation and enhance student wellbeing on rural placements may help improve rural workforce retention and address healthcare shortages.