Selection of medical students and the maldistribution of the medical workforce in Queensland, Australia

Abstract

: The relative shortage of both general practitioners and specialists providing medical services to rural areas disadvantages people living in the country. This maldistribution of the medical workforce is due in part to the medical education system. The selection and socialisation of medical students, the adequacy of training for rural practice and the continuing support of rural doctors must all be addressed. While progress is being made in vocational training and continuing support of rural practice, aspects of undergraduate education continue to contribute to the shortage of rural practitioners. The school and home addresses of 1991 school leavers in the 1992 intake into first year medicine at the University of Queensland were analysed and compared with those previously reported. Results indicated that students from rural backgrounds remain underrepresented despite previous recommendations to redress the disproportionately low number of rural students entering medical school. Changes to the selection of medical students aimed at increasing the number of rural students entering the course are discussed. This issue needs to be addressed in conjunction with many other factors contributing to the maldistribution of general practitioners if the shortage of rural medical practitioners is to be ultimately corrected.

Towards a Health Career for Rural and Remote Students: Cultural and Structural Barriers Influencing Choices

“…In light of evidence showing that medical students from rural areas are more likely to return to these areas after graduation, this demonstrates an obvious discrepancy between the importance placed on the rural health workforce and the under representation of rural and remote students in health related courses. [5][6][7][8] While research has not focused upon this issue in other health professions, the same argument may still hold and it certainly warrants further investigation.…”

Does a rural educational experience influence students' likelihood of rural practice? Impact of student background and gender

“…Few applications to medical schools come from candidates who are raised in rural areas. Consequently, rural individuals are under‐represented in incoming medical school classes 7 , 20 . It is for this reason that an admissions mandate to give preference to such individuals has been recommended 4 , 10 , 12 .…”

“…Consequently, rural individuals are under-represented in incoming medical school classes. 7,20 It is for this reason that an admissions mandate to give preference to such individuals has been recommended. 4,10,12 At schools where this strategy has been implemented, the performance of these individuals has been scrutinized.…”

Issues Affecting Australia’s Rural Occupational Therapy Workforce

“…13 Furthermore, the unequal distribution of the health-care labour force, which favours urban areas, is a contributing barrier to equitable access to the health-care system. 6,14,15 Increasing the supply of health-care providers is important for improving the health status of rural and remote populations. 6,13 The importance of attracting and retaining sufficient numbers of health workers in rural and remote areas has been identified as a significant issue affecting the provision of effective health services in these areas.…”