Getting the balance right? GPs who chose to stay in rural practice.
BACKGROUND
Despite major challenges to the retention of rural GPs in Australia, little is known about why some rural GPs stay long-term within their communities.


METHODS
A group of rural GPs interviewed as part of another study about 10 years ago were re-interviewed to explore their attitudes to their reasons for staying.


RESULTS
Eighteen of the original group of 23 could be contacted and 13 were interviewed. Factors that appeared to promote staying in rural practice were: strong attachment to the community; and practice arrangements that allow for adequate time off-call and for holidays. However, several GPs were stressed and some had considered leaving. The stressors were similar to those identified in earlier research, including overwork and having to send children to boarding school.


CONCLUSIONS
Personal and professional support arrangements within the community appear to be associated with decisions by rural GPs to remain in practice for substantial periods of time. Retention strategies should focus on facilitation of local integration.


BACKGROUND
Some doctors stay for prolonged periods of time in rural practice, although most leave after a few months or years. The reasons why rural doctors stay have until now not been explored.


CONCLUSIONS
Rural doctors who stay for prolonged periods of time, defined in this study as 10 or more years, have established personal and professional support networks that have provided protection from the more negative aspects of rural professional life.
Hays
Richard
R
School of Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia. richard.hays@jcu.edu.au
Wynd
Shona
S
Veitch
Craig
C
Crossland
Lisa
L
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D002321:Career Choice; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010558:Personnel Loyalty; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000523:psychology*; D011365:Professional Practice Location; D011793:Queensland; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires