title: Telehealth and the recruitment and retention of physicians in rural and remote regions: a Delphi study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The availability of a medical workforce is a growing concern for rural and remote communities across Canada. In the last decade, various telehealth experiences have highlighted the potential impact of this technology on professional as well as organizational practices. But could telehealth be a strategy to attract and maintain physicians in rural and remote communities? The objective of this study was to identify a reliable list of recruitment and retention factors on which telehealth could have an impact.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted 2 literature reviews and a Delphi study among 12 telehealth experts across Canada.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The literature reviews identified 7 categories of recruitment and retention factors on which telehealth could have an impact: 1) individual, 2) familial, 3) contextual, 4) professional, 5) organizational, 6) educational, and 7) economic.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Experts consulted through the Delphi study reached consensus on 31 out of 34 of the proposed statements about the impact of telehealth. This consensus can now be used as a conceptual model for further studies on the topic.
authors.affiliation: Quebec University Hospital Research Centre, Hôpital St-François d'Assise, Québec, QC G1L 3L5.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Duplantie
authors.forename: Marie-Pierre
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Gagnon
authors.forename: Jean-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Fortin
authors.forename: Réjean
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Landry
mesh_terms: D002321:Career Choice; D003697:Delphi Technique; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D010560:Personnel Selection; D010820:Physicians / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D019035:Rural Health Services; D017216:Telemedicine