Hospital interns' and residents' perceptions of rural training and practice in Victoria

Abstract

To examine the attitudes of junior hospital doctors toward rural training and practice in Victoria. A cross-sectional survey of 300 randomly selected Victorian hospital interns, junior and senior resident medical officers was undertaken in 1988 using a mailed self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was developed after a literature review, interviews and pilot testing and consisted of categorical and non-categorical items. Responses to the questionnaire were subjected to univariate, bivariate and factor analysis of variables. Testing for differences between those doctors choosing to train and work in rural areas and those choosing metropolitan areas was carried out by chi 2 test for discrete variables and Student's t test for means. A 64% response rate was achieved (n = 192). Only 15% indicated a preference for rural training the following year. Those from a rural background were more likely to express intention to train and practise in the country (P less than 0.05). The most important determinants in choosing a rural training post to emerge on factor analysis were the perceived quality of education and training facilities and the view of the doctors' partners or spouses. The decision to practise in the country was more likely to be influenced by "family" than "professional" factors (P less than 0.05). Perceptions regarding the academic status of rural hospitals as well as failure to address the needs of doctors' spouses or partners were major deterrents to rural training. These areas need to be addressed if the shortage of rural practitioners is to be reversed.