title: Greater support for generalism in rural and regional Australia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fostering generalism is particularly important in rural and regional medical practice in order to maximise the effectiveness of the medical workforce in meeting the needs of an ageing population. There are many areas in which support for generalist practitioners could be increased.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this article is to review the challenges facing generalist medical practice in rural and regional Australia, and to discuss possible solutions
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Six areas of particular relevance to rural and regional practice are: workforce support; rural and regional training pipelines; access to continuing professional development; flexibility in practice ownership; family support; and recognition and remuneration.
authors.affiliation: MBBS, BMedSc, MPH&TM, PhD, FRACGP, FARGP, Associate Professor, General Practice and Rural Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, and Anton Breinl Research Centre for Health Systems Strengthening, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Larkins
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Evans
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D019035:Rural Health Services; D012424:Rural Population; D014505:Urban Population; D000078329:Workforce