Overseas-trained doctors in Australia: community integration and their intention to stay in a rural community.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to identify the factors that influence foreign doctors' community integration and examine how these affect their intention to stay in the rural community.


METHODS
Qualitative study using life-history perspective.


METHODS
Rural communities throughout Victoria.


METHODS
Fifty-seven overseas-trained doctors (OTDs) working throughout rural Victoria, Australia.


METHODS
Key factors of community integration influencing OTDs' decision to stay in or leave a rural community.


RESULTS
Maintaining cultural and religious values, as well as relationships to their respective ethnic communities is important to OTDs. While they do not expect excessive support from the community they appreciated the cultures of welcoming or 'embracing differences'. Supportive communication and supervisory support positively influence OTDs' appreciation of what the rural community can offer them and how they might overcome any difficulties that they face with their rural practice and life.


CONCLUSIONS
As well as ensuring that OTDs' professional needs are met, the importance of a supportive environment within the clinic and community awareness of the OTDs' needs should not be underestimated as influences on an OTD's retention in a rural community.
Han
Gil-Soo
GS
School of Rural Health, Monash University, Traralgon, Victoria, Australia. gil.han@med.monash.edu.au
Humphreys
John S
JS
D000069:Acculturation; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D005550:Foreign Medical Graduates / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011287:Prejudice; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D036301:Qualitative Research; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012944:Social Support; D014739:Victoria