A collaborative research study by nine Rural Clinical Schools, including the Australian National University (ANU) School of Medicine and Psychology, has identified a significant gap in practice place outcomes between General Practice (GP) specialists and non-GP specialists.  

The findings suggest much work remains at a policy and training pathway level to deliver a strong workforce to service rural and remote Australians.

Residents living in rural and remote Australia experience inequitable health outcomes often as a result of poor access to required health services. 

Addressing the health workforce is an ongoing challenge and Rural Clinical Schools across Australia including the ANU, have an integral role.  There is strong evidence that positive rural experiences whilst training to become a doctor assist in attracting and keeping graduates in rural locations.

However, this study identified practice location patterns vary significantly among different specialty types, and only a small number of non-GP specialists continue to work in non-metropolitan areas between post-graduate year five (PGY5) and year ten (PGY10). 

This collaborative study underscores the significance of rural training pathways for achieving favourable long-term work location outcomes. 

It also highlights the need for a concerted effort to enhance specialist vocational training to provide more rural opportunities for trainees beyond general practice.

ANU co-author, Suzanne Bain-Donohue, said, “The strength of this study lies in the collaboration between the nine participating universities to ensure the data reflects a truly national perspective and minimises institutional bias.”  

The study has followed a cohort of 1220 graduates (2011) and builds on previously published studies at the post-graduation five and eight-year mark. 

Ms Bain-Donohue stated, “With approximately 30% of the Australian population living outside metropolitan areas there is logic in providing training pathway opportunities in rural areas to reflect this. We know that specialists are more likely to stay rural if they have trained in a rural location.”

Read the research paper: Association between rural exposure/experience and practice location 10 years postgraduation, stratified by specialty: evidence from a cohort study of graduates from nine Australian universities