Junior doctors’ and medical students’ commitment to working in areas of workforce shortage has just been published in Rural and Remote Health journal. Australian Government initiatives promote rural training placements, supported medical school places, and incentives that attract doctors to areas of need. The purpose of this study was to report on the preparedness of medical students and junior doctors to commit to working in areas of workforce shortage. The study was based on a web-based survey, and responses were received from 760 medical students and 264 junior doctors. A substantial proportion of this sample were prepared to make some form of commitment to providing medical services in a rural area. The greatest proportion (38.3%) was prepared to make a small commitment equal to an irregular locum service of 1 week or 1 month per year.
The authors conclude that government policies and incentives may be having a positive effect on medical students’ and junior doctors’ preparedness to work in rural and remote areas and that medical educators should encourage students and junior doctors to take up short-term placements/opportunities and to maintain links with rural communities.
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