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McGrail M, Woolley T, Pinidiyapathirage J, Paton K, Smith D, Brumpton K, Teague PA. Exploring recent trends (2014-21) in preferencing and accepting Queensland medical internships in rural hospitals. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:236. [PMID: 38395849 PMCID: PMC10885368 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-10683-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medical internship is a key transition point in medical training from student to independent (junior) doctor. The national Regional Training Hubs (RTH) policy began across Australia in late 2017, which aims to build medical training pathways for junior doctors within a rural region and guide students, interns and trainees towards these. This study aims to explore preferencing and acceptance trends for rural medical internship positions in Queensland. Moreover, it focuses on internship preference and acceptance outcomes prior to and following the establishment of RTHs, and their association with key covariates such as rural training immersions offered by medical schools. METHODS Data from all applicants to Queensland Health intern positions between 2014-2021 were available, notably their preference order and location of accepted internship position, classified as rural or metropolitan. Matched data from Queensland's medical schools were added for rural training time and other key demographics. Analyses explored the statistical associations between these factors and preferencing or accepting rural internships, comparing pre-RTH and post-RTH cohorts. RESULTS Domestic Queensland-trained graduates first preferencing rural intern positions increased significantly (pre-RTH 21.1% vs post-RTH 24.0%, p = 0.017), reinforced by a non-significant increase in rural acceptances (27.3% vs 29.7%, p = 0.070). Rural interns were more likely to have previously spent ≥ 11-weeks training in rural locations within medical school, be rurally based in the year applying for internship, or enrolled in the rural generalist pathway. CONCLUSIONS The introduction of the RTH was associated with a moderate increase of graduates both preferencing and accepting a rural internship, though a richer understanding of the dominant reasons for and against this remain less clear. An expansion of graduates who undertook longer periods of undergraduate rural training in the same period did not diminish the proportion choosing a rural internship, suggesting there remains an appetite for these opportunities. Overall, domestic graduates are identified as a reliable source of intern recruitment and retention to rural hospitals across Queensland, with entry to the rural generalist pathway and extended rural placement experiences enhancing uptake of rural practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew McGrail
- The University of Queensland, Rural Clinical School, Rockhampton, QLD, 4700, Australia.
| | - Torres Woolley
- James Cook University, College of Medicine & Dentistry, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | - Janani Pinidiyapathirage
- Griffith University, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Southport, QLD, 4222, Australia
- Rural Medical Education Australia, Toowoomba, QLD, 4350, Australia
| | - Kath Paton
- James Cook University, College of Medicine & Dentistry, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | - Deborah Smith
- James Cook University, College of Medicine & Dentistry, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | - Kay Brumpton
- Griffith University, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Southport, QLD, 4222, Australia
- Rural Medical Education Australia, Toowoomba, QLD, 4350, Australia
| | - Peta-Ann Teague
- James Cook University, College of Medicine & Dentistry, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
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Jose M, Obse A, Zuidgeest M, Alaba O. Assessing Medical Students' Preferences for Rural Internships Using a Discrete Choice Experiment: A Case Study of Medical Students in a Public University in the Western Cape. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6913. [PMID: 37887651 PMCID: PMC10606489 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20206913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
As new graduates are crucial in providing healthcare services in rural areas, this study aimed to identify and describe the rural facility attributes that attract medical students to apply for rural internships. A literature review and focus groups informed a discrete choice experiment conducted amongst graduating medical students at one public university in South Africa. One main effect using a mixed logit model and another main effect plus interaction model was estimated. Females (130/66.33%) of urban origin (176/89.80%) with undergraduate exposure to rural facilities (110/56.12%) were the majority. The main effects only model showed advanced practical experience, hospital safety, correctly fitting personal protective equipment, and the availability of basic resources were the strongest predictors of rural internship uptake. Respondents were willing to forgo 66% of rural allowance (ZAR 2645.92, 95% CI: 1345.90; 3945.94) for a facility offering advanced practical experience. In contrast, increased rural allowance and housing provision were weak predictors of rural work uptake. Based on the interaction model, females and those not intending to specialise preferred hospital safety compared to advanced practical experience. To improve internship recruitment, rural facility managers should provide staff with supervision, safety, and protection from occupational exposure to contractible illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Jose
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, South Africa; (A.O.); (O.A.)
| | - Amarech Obse
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, South Africa; (A.O.); (O.A.)
| | - Mark Zuidgeest
- Department of Civil Engineering, Centre for Transport Studies, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, South Africa;
| | - Olufunke Alaba
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, South Africa; (A.O.); (O.A.)
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Graham P, Padley J, Williams S, Gonzalez-Chica D, Isaac V, Walters L. Australian rural medical students' perceived readiness for work as a junior doctor: A cross-sectional national survey. Aust J Rural Health 2023; 31:999-1007. [PMID: 37650537 DOI: 10.1111/ajr.13035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To report self-perceived readiness for work as a junior doctor in a national cohort of rural clinical school students. DESIGN Cross-sectional study using a self-report questionnaire. Independent variables included 14 individual readiness items related to clinical and professional tasks, sociodemographic data and reported experience of rural clinical school (RCS) training. Participants were 668 medical students (55.3% females) completing a full academic year in rural Australia. Multivariable analysis explored factors associated with overall readiness for work as a junior doctor. FINDINGS 86% agreed that RCS experience prepared them to undertake the roles and responsibilities of a junior doctor. Self-ratings for specific clinical and professional tasks varied from a mean score of 5.9-8.0 out of 10, and 13 of the 14 items were associated with the outcome (p-value <0.001, except for performing spirometry). Lowest readiness scores were seen for some aspects including raising concerns about a colleague (mean score 6.1) or responding to workplace bullying (mean score 6.0). Aspects of the RCS experience that were strongly associated with overall readiness included: feeling a valued team-member (OR 9.28, 95%CI 2.43-35.39), feeling well-supported academically (OR 6.64, 95%CI 3.39-13.00), having opportunity for unsupervised but supported clinical practice (OR 4.67, 95%CI 1.45-15.00), having a rural mentor (OR 3.38, 95%CI 1.89-6.06) and having a previous health professional qualification (OR 2.7, 95%CI 1.32-5.54). DISCUSSION Most RCS students felt ready for work as a junior doctor. Important aspects of RCS experience are likely to include students feeling integrated within the clinical team and having opportunities for authentic clinical roles. There remains a significant challenge for medical school curricula to address professional areas where graduates felt less prepared.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Graham
- Adelaide Rural Clinical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - James Padley
- Adelaide Rural Clinical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Susan Williams
- Adelaide Rural Clinical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - David Gonzalez-Chica
- Adelaide Rural Clinical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Vivian Isaac
- Discipline of Rural and Remote Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Lucie Walters
- Adelaide Rural Clinical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Seal AN, Playford D, McGrail MR, Fuller L, Allen PL, Burrows JM, Wright JR, Bain-Donohue S, Garne D, Major LG, Luscombe GM. Influence of rural clinical school experience and rural origin on practising in rural communities five and eight years after graduation. Med J Aust 2022; 216:572-577. [PMID: 35365852 PMCID: PMC9322683 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.51476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Objective To examine associations between extended medical graduates’ rural clinical school (RCS) experience and geographic origins with practising in rural communities five and eight years after graduation. Design, participants Cohort study of 2011 domestic medical graduates from ten Australian medical schools with rural clinical or regional medical schools. Main outcome measures Practice location types eight years after graduation (2019/2020) as recorded by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, classified as rural or metropolitan according to the 2015 Modified Monash Model; changes in practice location type between postgraduate years 5 (2016/2017) and 8 (2019/2020). Results Data were available for 1321 graduates from ten universities; 696 were women (52.7%), 259 had rural backgrounds (19.6%), and 413 had extended RCS experience (31.3%). Eight years after graduation, rural origin graduates with extended RCS experience were more likely than metropolitan origin graduates without this experience to practise in regional (relative risk [RR], 3.6; 95% CI, 1.8–7.1) or rural communities (RR, 4.8; 95% CI, 3.1–7.5). Concordance of location type five and eight years after graduation was 92.6% for metropolitan practice (84 of 1136 graduates had moved to regional/rural practice, 7.4%), 26% for regional practice (56 of 95 had moved to metropolitan practice, 59%), and 73% for rural practice (20 of 100 had moved to metropolitan practice, 20%). Metropolitan origin graduates with extended RCS experience were more likely than those without it to remain in rural practice (RR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.3–2.9) or to move to rural practice (RR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2–3.1). Conclusion The distribution of graduates by practice location type was similar five and eight years after graduation. Recruitment to and retention in rural practice were higher among graduates with extended RCS experience. Our findings reinforce the importance of longitudinal rural and regional training pathways, and the role of RCSs, regional training hubs, and the rural generalist training program in coordinating these initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa N Seal
- Rural Clinical School, School of Medicine Sydney, the University of Notre Dame Australia, Wagga Wagga, NSW
| | - Denese Playford
- Rural Clinical School of Western Australia, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA
| | | | - Lara Fuller
- Rural Community Clinical School, Deakin University, Colac, VIC
| | - Penny L Allen
- Rural Clinical School, University of Tasmania, Burnie, TAS
| | - Julie M Burrows
- Rural Clinical School, University of Newcastle, Tamworth, NSW
| | - Julian R Wright
- Rural Clinical School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC
| | | | - David Garne
- Graduate School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW
| | - Laura G Major
- School of Rural Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC
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Beks H, Walsh S, Alston L, Jones M, Smith T, Maybery D, Sutton K, Versace VL. Approaches Used to Describe, Measure, and Analyze Place of Practice in Dentistry, Medical, Nursing, and Allied Health Rural Graduate Workforce Research in Australia: A Systematic Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19031438. [PMID: 35162455 PMCID: PMC8834932 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Redressing the maldistribution of the health workforce in regional, rural, and remote geographical areas is a global issue and crucial to improving the accessibility of primary health care and specialist services. Geographical classification systems are important as they provide an objective and quantifiable measure of access and can have direct policy relevance, yet they are not always consistently applied in rural health research. It is unclear how research focusing on the graduate health workforce in Australia has described, measured, and analyzed place of practice. To examine approaches used, this review systematically scopes Australian rural studies focusing on dentistry, medicine, nursing, and allied health graduates that have included place of practice as an outcome measure. The Joanna Brigg’s Institute Scoping Review Methodology was used to guide the review. Database searches retrieved 1130 unique citations, which were screened, resulting in 62 studies for inclusion. Included studies were observational, with most focusing on the practice locations of medical graduates and predicators of rural practice. Variations in the use of geographical classification approaches to define rurality were identified and included the use of systems that no longer have policy relevance, as well as adaptations of existing systems that make future comparisons between studies challenging. It is recommended that research examining the geographical distribution of the rural health workforce use uniform definitions of rurality that are aligned with current government policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Beks
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia; (H.B.); (L.A.)
| | - Sandra Walsh
- Department of Rural Health, University of South Australia, Whyalla 5608, Australia; (S.W.); (M.J.)
| | - Laura Alston
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia; (H.B.); (L.A.)
| | - Martin Jones
- Department of Rural Health, University of South Australia, Whyalla 5608, Australia; (S.W.); (M.J.)
| | - Tony Smith
- Department of Rural Health, University of Newcastle, Taree 2430, Australia;
| | - Darryl Maybery
- Department of Rural Health & Indigenous Health, Monash University, Warragul 3820, Australia; (D.M.); (K.S.)
| | - Keith Sutton
- Department of Rural Health & Indigenous Health, Monash University, Warragul 3820, Australia; (D.M.); (K.S.)
| | - Vincent L Versace
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia; (H.B.); (L.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +613-5563-3513
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McGrail M, O'Sullivan B, Gurney T. Critically reviewing the policies used by colleges to select doctors for specialty training: A kink in the rural pathway. Aust J Rural Health 2021; 29:272-283. [DOI: 10.1111/ajr.12707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew McGrail
- University of Queensland Rural Clinical School Rockhampton QLD Australia
| | | | - Tiana Gurney
- University of Queensland Rural Clinical School Toowoomba QLD Australia
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