Reply: Cost and returns related to medical education in rural and remote locations

Abstract

The main educational aim of our primary care attachment is to advocate community primary care oriented to the health needs of the population. In the case of the Greek National Health System, only Rural Health Centres (RHCs) offer community based health care. In urban areas primary care services are delivered from private physicians and social insurance funds’ health units (polyclinics). The cost of travel and accommodation for medical students is a matter of continuous consideration, especially in a time of economic recession such as the one Greece is currently facing. Collaboration with RHCs in the areas of students’ family residence was preferred, as well as RHCs that could provide free accommodation. Even though such an approach might raise more organisational issues, it also drives to the increase of collaborating teaching RHCs, necessary in the case of medical schools where more than 300 students practise each academic year.