New rural GP retention in WA has improved substantially, an observation at least consistent with government initiatives delivering a positive return. However, it remains the case that the majority of new doctors have left rural practice within 5 years of commencing their tour of service.

Objective In light of current debate around securing and distributing the General Practitioner (GP) workforce in Australia, we analysed rural health workforce data to identify characteristics associated with long-term tenure for rural female GPs, an importantly lacking part of the rural workforce in Australia. Methods In this cohort study, 555 currently practicing rural female GPs with long, versus short, rural work histories were surveyed annually. Their data were compared. Results In logistic regression, as expected the factors associated with 7+ years (long-term) versus <7 years (short-term) rural work were: being older (odds ratio [OR] 6.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16, 13.0, P < 0.001); being an Australian resident (OR 4.64, 95% CI 2.17, 9.91, P < 0.001); having a practice teaching commitment (OR 3.55, 95% CI 1.67, 7.55, P = 0.001); having multiple children (OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.23, 3.88, P = 0.008); rural health club experience as a medical student (OR 5.23, 95% CI 1.11, 23.86, P = 0.033); and, marginally, being rurally experienced as an undergraduate through the Rural Clinical School programme (OR 8.89, 95% CI 0.921, 85.75, P = 0.059) and having a rural background spouse (OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.94, 4.21, P = 0.070). Conclusion The factors involved in long-term rural work for female GPs include a longitudinal set from medical school into postgraduate practice life, some based on Australian government policy initiatives and others on lifestyle choices. These factors should be considered in providing a clinically mature female GP workforce to rural populations.