Telehealth and the recruitment and retention of physicians in rural and remote regions: a Delphi study.
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.
Duplantie
Julie
J
Quebec University Hospital Research Centre, Hôpital St-François d'Assise, Québec, QC G1L 3L5.
Gagnon
Marie-Pierre
MP
Fortin
Jean-Paul
JP
Landry
Réjean
R
D002321:Career Choice; D003697:Delphi Technique; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D010560:Personnel Selection; D010820:Physicians / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D019035:Rural Health Services; D017216:Telemedicine