The rural clinical school tracking project: More is better confirming factors that influence early career entry into the rural medical workforce

Abstract

Introduction: This longitudinal tracking project by the University of Queensland Rural Clinical School (UQRCS) provides data on the early career pathways of alumni since its inception in 2002. Specifically we report on; (1) perceptions of the UQRCS regarding its influence on current career choice, (2) current speciality choices, and (3) factors that influenced these choices. Methods: A retrospective web-based survey of all graduates who undertook clinical Year 3, Year 4 or Years 3 & 4 at UQRCS from 2002 to 2006. Associations with demographics, Year(s) at UQRCS, current workplace and speciality choice were assessed. Results: Response rate was 69, (N 180). Alumni who spent two years (Years 3 & 4) at UQRCS reported significantly higher degrees of encouragement to pursue a rural career. Alumni currently working in a non-urban location had spent two years at UQRCS and were significantly higher in desire to remain rural. 'Time spent at the UQRCS' contributed most to interest in a rural career. General practice and emergency medicine were most preferred specialities. Conclusions: Findings confirm that a longer rural clinical experience is more effective in eventual choice of workplace location and future interest in a rural career. This corroborates the positive impact of Australian rural clinical schools toward rural medical workforce improvement. © 2009 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved.

Keywords

Author Keywords

Not provided

Index Keywords

adult female male Humans Decision making Article workplace Australia general practice Career choice Longitudinal Studies rural area Students, Medical medical school career planning clinical education Mentors emergency medicine Clinical Clerkship alumnus medical practice Rural Health Services Retrospective Studies Internet medical staff Socioeconomic Factors

Author Affiliations

School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

Funding & Acknowledgements

No funding information

References 10 References

1 Workforce Education and Training Rural Clinical Schools, (2002)

2 Rural Health Rrma Classification, (2005)

3 Doctors in vocational training: Rural background and rural practice intentions, Australian Journal of Rural Health, 13, 1, pp. 14-20, (2005)

4 Critchley, Jennifer, A required rural health module increases students' interest in rural health careers., Rural and remote health, 7, 2, (2007)

5 DeWitt, Dawn E., Development of a common national questionnaire to evaluate student perceptions about the Australian Rural Clinical Schools Program., Rural and remote health, 5, 3, (2005)

6 Eley, Diann S., Does recruitment lead to retention? Rural Clinical School training experiences and subsequent intern choices., Rural and remote health, 6, 1, (2006)

7 Eley, Diann S., Will Australian rural clinical schools be an effective workforce strategy? Early indications of their positive effect on intern choice and rural career interest, Medical Journal of Australia, 187, 3, pp. 166-167, (2007)

8 Eley, Diann S., Coping with increasing numbers of medical students in rural clinical schools: Options and opportunities, Medical Journal of Australia, 188, 11, pp. 669-671, (2008)

9 Laven, Gillian A., Factors associated with rural practice among Australian-trained general practitioners, Medical Journal of Australia, 179, 2, pp. 75-79, (2003)

10 Laven, Gillian A., Rural doctors and rural backgrounds: How strong is the evidence? A systematic review, Australian Journal of Rural Health, 11, 6, pp. 277-284, (2003)

The rural clinical school tracking project: More is better confirming factors that influence early career entry into the rural medical workforce

How to Cite