Keeping doctors in rural Victoria

2 December 2004

Overseas trained doctors are most likely to stay in rural Victoria if they are ambivalent about where they want to settle or easily integrate into the community, a Monash University study has found.

Monash School of Rural Health academics Dr Gil-Soo Han and Professor John Humphreys interviewed overseas trained doctors now working in clinics throughout Victoria .

They found there were four distinct traits among the doctors: satellite operators (those who were city oriented) , fence sitters (who preferred to work and live in city fringe areas), ambivalent (unsure about where they would settle) and those who integrated into the rural community.

Of the four, Dr Han said those who were ambivalent or easily integrated were the most likely to remain in rural areas even after they had finished their required rural placement.

"The integrated doctors tend to be well prepared to adjust quickly to and appreciate their new environment," he said.

"They acknowledge that there are difficulties but they are pragmatic about what can or cannot be done in their communities.

Dr Han said that while ambivalent types were generally satisfied with their rural practice and life, they were torn between what they loved about rural practice and how their future might unfold in terms of their children's education and their partners' job prospects.

"While they are in the process of adjusting to rural practice, irrespective of how long they have lived in rural Victoria , the ambivalent have not yet been convinced they will stay in rural areas," he said.

Dr Han said fence sitters tended to live between rural and urban environments and enjoyed the benefits of both communities. While they practised in rural Victoria , they had easy access to ethnic communities and city environments, which was one of the main reasons why they chose to be fence sitters, he said.

Satellite operators tend to live in the city and commute to the rural practice daily or weekly. Their weekend activities tend to be centred around urban areas and they plan to settle in the city as soon as they can.

For further information, Dr Gil-Soo Han on 5173 8188 or Ms Diane Squires in the media communications office on 9905 5828 or 0417 603 400.