Abstract
BackgroundSubstantial government funding has been invested to support the training of General Practitioners (GPs) in Australia to serve rural communities. However, there is little data on the impact of this expanded training on smaller communities, particularly for smaller rural and more remote communities. Improved understanding of the impact of training on underserved communities will assist in addressing this gap and inform ongoing investment by governments and communities.MethodA purposive sample of GP supervisors, GP registrars, practice managers and health services staff, and community members (n = 40) from previously identified areas of workforce need in rural and remote North-West Queensland were recruited for this qualitative study. Participants had lived in their communities for periods ranging from a few months to 63 years (Median = 12 years). Semi-structured interviews and a focus group were conducted to explore how establishing GP training placements impacts underserved communities from a health workforce, health outcomes, economic and social perspective. The data were then analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsParticipants reported they perceived GP training to improve communities’ health services and health status (accessibility, continuity of care, GP workforce, health status, quality of health care and sustainable health care), some social factors (community connectedness and relationships), cultural factors (values and identity), financial factors (economy and employment) and education (rural pathway). Further, benefits to the registrars (breadth of training, community-specific knowledge, quality of training, and relationships with the community) were reported that also contributed to community development.ConclusionGP training and supervision is possible in smaller and more remote underserved communities and is perceived positively. Training GP registrars in smaller, more remote communities, matches their training more closely with the comprehensive primary care services needed by these communities.
Highlights
Substantial government funding has been invested to support the training of General Practitioners (GPs) in Australia to serve rural communities
Training GP registrars in smaller, more remote communities, matches their training more closely with the comprehensive primary care services needed by these communities
The aim of this study was to explore the workforce, health service and social impacts on communities arising from the expansion of the James Cook University (JCU) James Cook University General Practice Training (GPT) program into smaller, underserved rural and remote communities
Summary
Substantial government funding has been invested to support the training of General Practitioners (GPs) in Australia to serve rural communities. Substantial government funding has been invested over the last 20 years to expand training for the specialty of general practice (GP) with the aim of improving the medical workforce, outside of larger urban centres. During this time period, the numbers of medical graduates has increased three-fold and the number of graduates with rural placement experience and rural career interest have risen [1]. More remote communities, training opportunities have been constrained by the scarcity of learning resources, experienced GP supervisors, who may be overloaded with clinical service. The question has been posed: would placing GP registrars in such communities be a drain on existing, insufficient resources or a mechanism for investment in the sustainability of health services for otherwise underserved communities?
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