Comparison of rural and non-rural students undertaking a voluntary rural placement in the early years of a medical course.
OBJECTIVE
The experiences of rural and non-rural students undertaking a voluntary rural placement in the early years of a medical course were compared.


METHODS
Eighty percent (28) of the rural and 70% (114) of the non-rural students completed a post-placement questionnaire.


RESULTS
The two groups did not differ on their overall rating of the placement, whether they felt welcome, adequacy of the time with doctors or their rating of the accommodation provided. However, 46% (13) of the rural students reported the placement had changed their feelings towards rural practice to the maximum/almost maximum extent compared with only 24% (27) of the non-rural students.
Peach
H G
HG
The University of Melbourne, Ballarat Health Services Base Hosital, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia.
Bath
N E
NE
D002321:Career Choice; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D019035:Rural Health Services; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D014739:Victoria