scholarly journals How do rural placements affect urban-based Australian junior doctors’ perceptions of working in a rural area?

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Brodribb ◽  
Maria Zadoroznyj ◽  
Bill Martin

Objectives The aim of the present study was to provide qualitative insights from urban-based junior doctors (graduation to completion of speciality training) of the effect of rural placements and rotations on career aspirations for work in non-metropolitan practices. Methods A qualitative study was performed of junior doctors based in Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne. Individual face-to-face or telephone semistructured interviews were held between August and October 2014. Thematic analysis focusing on participants’ experience of placements and subsequent attitudes to rural practice was undertaken. Results Most participants undertook rural placements in the first 2 years after graduation. Although experiences varied, positive perceptions of placements were consistently linked with the degree of supervision and professional support provided. These experiences were linked to attitudes about working outside metropolitan areas. Participants expressed concerns about being ‘forced’ to work in non-metropolitan hospitals in their first postgraduate year; many received little warning of the location or clinical expectations of the placement, causing anxiety and concern. Conclusions Adequate professional support and supervision in rural placements is essential to encourage junior doctors’ interests in rural medicine. Having a degree of choice about placements and a positive and supported learning experience increases the likelihood of a positive experience. Doctors open to working outside a metropolitan area should be preferentially allocated an intern position in a non-metropolitan hospital and rotated to more rural locations. What is known about the topic? The maldistribution of the Australian medical workforce has led to the introduction of several initiatives to provide regional and rural experiences for medical students and junior doctors. Although there have been studies outlining the effects of rural background and rural exposure on rural career aspirations, little research has focused on what hinders urban-trained junior doctors from pursuing a rural career. What does this paper add? Exposure to medical practice in regional or rural areas modified and changed the longer-term career aspirations of some junior doctors. Positive experiences increased the openness to and the likelihood of regional or rural practice. However, junior doctors were unlikely to aspire to non-metropolitan practice if they felt they had little control over and were unprepared for a rural placement, had a negative experience or were poorly supported by other clinicians or health services. What are the implications for practitioners? Changes to the process of allocating junior doctors to rural placements so that the doctors felt they had some choice, and ensuring these placements are well supervised and supported, would have a positive impact on junior doctors’ attitudes to non-metropolitan practice.

2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah A. Bayley ◽  
Parker J. Magin ◽  
Jennifer M. Sweatman ◽  
Catherine M. Regan

Background. Increasing the recruitment of doctors, including general practitioners (GPs), to rural areas is recognised as a health priority internationally. Australian GP trainees (registrars) complete a mandatory minimum of 6 months training in a rural area. The rationale for this includes the expectation of increased likelihood of a future choice of rural practice location. Method. A qualitative study employing semistructured in-depth interviews and a modified grounded methodology. Participants were 15 registrars from an Australian GP postgraduate training program. Results. Though generally a rewarding clinical learning experience, negative aspects of the rural placement included the disruption to personal lives of rural relocation and the stresses involved in higher levels of clinical responsibility. These stressors could undermine rather than enhance clinical confidence. Anxiety and depression were accompaniments for some registrars. Intention to practice rurally was little influenced by this compulsory placement. Conclusions. Findings of positive effects on rural practice destination in studies of medical undergraduates should not be generalised to GP registrars. The positive clinical learning experience of most registrars in rural terms must be balanced with the social dislocation involved in rural relocation and the adverse effects of the rural experience, for some registrars, on professional confidence and psychological well being. What is known about the topic? The rationale for compulsory rural placements during general practitioner vocational training includes an assumption that this will increase rural GP workforce. Undergraduate training in rural environments is known to enhance recruitment to rural practice. What does this paper add? Despite considerable positive educational and training outcomes for many registrars, compulsory rural training placements cause significant social dislocation for many registrars and were in this study associated with psychological morbidity in some registrars. Placements are unlikely to significantly increase rural GP workforce. What are the implications for practitioners? Compulsory rural placements can be a negative experience for GP registrars. Findings of positive effects of rural training experience on career intentions and rural workplace destination in studies of medical undergraduates should not be generalised to compulsory rural placements for general practice registrars.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina W. Pit ◽  
Sue Velovski ◽  
Krista Cockrell ◽  
Jannine Bailey

Abstract Background Clinical practice is increasingly being digitalised. Little is known about how medical students learn and were exposed to telehealth during COVID-19. This is particularly important if we wish to further improve healthcare access and equity in rural areas and vulnerable populations. This formative study sought to explore the exposure and attitudes of medical students on telehealth and COVID-19 during their rural clinical placement in 2020 and provide recommendations. Methods Focus groups were held in August 2020 after completion of a 12-month rural placement. Questions centred around students’ exposure and experiences with telehealth during COVID-19. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. Results There has been a clear shift in students now acknowledging the importance of telehealth and, more importantly, expressing a clear wish for telehealth to be embedded in the curriculum starting in their first year. In tandem with this, students expressed the need for their clinical supervisors or hospital teams to have the capability to practice telehealth efficiently as this will improve the telehealth experience and lead to better engagement for both staff and students. Furthermore, it was felt that rural clinicians should play a lead role in telehealth implementation given it is integral to rural practice. Conclusions Medical students are more exposed to and more interested to learn about telehealth since COVID-19 and wish to see telehealth training built into their curriculum from the outset of medical school. Themes that emerged from this formative study can potentially assist in planning for telehealth education during and post COVID-19 and inform further telehealth research. Embedding telehealth skills training and guidelines into the medical program, and particularly rural medicine training programs, is essential to prepare the future medical workforce to ensure access and quality patient care during pandemics and also to improve access for rural Australians.


Author(s):  
Yuliya M. Beglyakova ◽  
◽  
Aleksander S. Shchirskii ◽  

The article analyses the accessibility of medical facilities in rural areas of modern Russia and the specifics of their organization and development. The authors reveal causes why rural residents have much less opportunities to seek quality medical care than urban ones, what leads to a disparity between the inhabitants of the city and the village. The thesis is substantiated that state programmes that should make health services accessible to the rural population to a greater extent do not cope with the task at hand. An attempt is made to highlight the public’s response to the existing disparity in the health services of the villagers compared to urban dwellers. Such a reaction can be considered an outflow of people from rural areas, and an increase in self-medication among rural people as a result of the difficulty in obtaining health services. The decrease in the number of treatment facilities in rural areas leads to a deterioration in the medicine situation in rural areas. That, according to the authors of the article, justifies the need to study the issues associated with the provision of medical care to the rural population.


2020 ◽  
pp. 71-80
Author(s):  
Olesya Tomchuk

The article highlights the problems and prospects of human development, which is the basis for the long-term strategies of social and economic growth of different countries and regions at the present stage. Submitting strategies of this type provides an opportunity to focus on individual empowerment and to build a favorable environment for effective management decisions in the field of forming, maintaining, and restoring human potential. The analysis of the Vinnytsia region human potential dynamics in the regional system of social and economic development factors was carried out. Application of generalized assessment of the regional human development index components allowed the identification of the main trends that characterize the formation of human potential of the territory, including the reproduction of the population, social environment, comfort and quality of life, well-being, decent work, and education. The article emphasizes that despite some positive changes in the social and economic situation of the region and in assessing the parameters of its human development level relative to other regions of Ukraine, Vinnytsia region is now losing its human potential due to negative demographic situation and migration to other regions and countries. The main reason for such dynamics is proven to be related to the outdated structure of the region's economy, the predominance of the agricultural sector, the lack of progressive transformations in the development of high-tech fields of the economy. An important factor is the low level of urbanization of the region, which leads to the spread of less attractive working conditions and less comfortable living conditions. The key factors that cause the growth of urbanization in the region have been identified, including the significant positive impact of the transport and social infrastructure expansion, the lack of which in rural areas leads to a decrease in the level and comfort of life. Without progressive structural changes in the economy and the resettlement system, the loss of human potential will continue.


Author(s):  
Sona Ahuja ◽  
Diksha Yadav

The present study provides a description of the model of interactive digital pedagogy for remote areas and its impact on pedagogical satisfaction and academic achievement of students. This pedagogical intervention was designed to enrich and supplement the teaching-learning experience in remote and underprivileged schools through the use of technology. An interactive online teaching-learning system was set-up using a digital pedagogy. 150 school students and 80 prospective teachers from three higher secondary schools of Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu participated in the study. Pedagogical satisfaction and academic achievement of the school students who studied in this set-up were examined. The results revealed that active learning, technological competence and learner autonomy were enhanced in an online environment when compared to an offline environment.


Author(s):  
К. А. Галкин

Ситуация пандемии COVID-19 в очередной раз напомнила о необходимости использования онлайн-сообществ здоровья, особенно в тех районах, где не хватает мест в местных больницах или существуют проблемы с получением качественной медицинской помощи. Это, например, сельские районы, где медицина ориентирована на лечение экстренно возникающих заболеваний и у врачей существуют сложности с возможностью лечения новой коронавирусной инфекции. Онлайн-сообщества здоровья в таком случае предоставляют возможность узнать необходимую информацию, а также общаться со специалистами, которые знают особенности нового коронавируса и могут дать необходимые советы. В настоящей статье на примере глубинных интервью с пожилыми людьми из сёл Ленинградской обл. и Республики Карелия рассмотрена роль телемедицины для пожилых людей и общения в онлайн-сообществах здоровья в контексте преодоления одиночества и изолированности, которая существует в сельской местности. В статье проанализированы особенности и основные препятствия для использования пожилыми людьми телемедицины и общения в онлайнсообществах здоровья - это проблемы с инфраструктурой и отключением электричества, отсутствие у пожилых людей компьютерной грамотности для общения и взаимодействия в онлайн-сообществах здоровья. Роль последних рассмотрена с точки зрения развития самозаботы пожилых людей в сельской местности в периферийных поселениях из-за отсутствия необходимой медицинской помощи. The situation of the COVID-19 pandemic has once again reminded of the need to use telemedicine and online health communities, especially in areas where there are not enough places in local hospitals or there are problems with obtaining quality medical care, such as rural areas where rural medicine is focused on treatment of emergency diseases and doctors have difficulties with the possibility of treatment, as well as explaining about the new coronavirus infection to patients and how this disease can be treated. In this case, online health communities provide an opportunity to find out the necessary information, as well as communicate with specialists who know the features of the new coronavirus and can give the necessary advice. Using the example of in-depth interviews with older people from villages in the Leningrad Region and the Republic of Karelia, the article examines the role of telemedicine for older people and communication in online health communities in the context of overcoming loneliness and isolation that exist in rural areas. The article analyzes the features of the use of telemedicine and the key barriers to the use of telemedicine and communication of older people in online disease communities. In rural areas the main barriers to telemedicine use are infrastructure problems and power outages, as well as the lack of computer literacy for communication and elder people’s interaction in online health communities. In the article the role of online health communities is considered in the context of the self-care of older people and from the point of view of the development of self-care of older people in rural peripheral settlements due to the lack of necessary medical care.


2017 ◽  
Vol 80 (6) ◽  
pp. 375-383
Author(s):  
Gail Boniface ◽  
Deborah Morgan

Introduction Six reviews/inquiries into housing adaptations/home modifications processes occurred in Wales between 2004 and 2015. One resulted in the removal of the means test for children's Disabled Facilities Grants. This research investigated families' and professionals' experiences of the adaptations/home modification process to gain an understanding of their views and experiences. Method Mixed methods of an online questionnaire for professionals, and semi-structured interviews or an online questionnaire for families (depending on their preference), were employed. Forty-eight families participated and an additional 16 families responded to an online questionnaire. Analysis of qualitative data identified emergent themes, which are discussed in this article. Findings The themes were: poor information and communication mainly aimed at older adults; negative experience of the process; and the positive impact of the completed adaptation. Additionally, whilst undergoing the process, families felt that they needed a contact to guide them through the process. This contact was often by default the community occupational therapist. Conclusion A single contact person should be made available for families; occupational therapists should consider their part in that role; more specific information on children's needs should be provided; families need to recognize the part they can play in adding to delays in the delivery of adaptations.


F1000Research ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 301
Author(s):  
P Ravi Shankar ◽  
Arun K Dubey ◽  
Atanu Nandy ◽  
Burton L Herz ◽  
Brian W Little

Introduction: Rural residents of the United States (US) and Canada face problems in accessing healthcare. International medical graduates (IMGs) play an important role in delivering rural healthcare. IMGs from Caribbean medical schools have the highest proportion of physicians in primary care.  Xavier University School of Medicines admits students from the US, Canada and other countries to the undergraduate medical (MD) course and also offers a premedical program. The present study was conducted to obtain student perception about working in rural US/Canada after graduation.  Methods: The study was conducted among premedical and preclinical undergraduate medical (MD) students during October 2014. The questionnaire used was modified from a previous study. Semester of study, gender, nationality, place of residence and occupation of parents were noted. Information about whether students plan to work in rural US/Canada after graduation, possible reasons why doctors are reluctant to work in rural areas, how the government can encourage rural practice, possible problems respondents anticipate while working in rural areas were among the topics studied.Results: Ninety nine of the 108 students (91.7%) participated. Forty respondents were in favor of working in rural US/Canada after graduation. Respondents mentioned good housing, regular electricity, water supply, telecommunication facilities, and schools for education of children as important conditions to be fulfilled. The government should provide higher salaries to rural doctors, help with loan repayment, and provide opportunities for professional growth.  Potential problems mentioned were difficulty in being accepted by the rural community, problems in convincing patients to follow medical advice, lack of exposure to rural life among the respondents, and cultural issues.Conclusions: About 40% of respondents would consider working in rural US/Canada. Conditions required to be fulfilled have been mentioned above. Graduates from Caribbean medical schools have a role in addressing rural physician shortage. Similar studies in other offshore Caribbean medical schools are required as Caribbean IMGs make an important contribution to the rural US and Canadian health workforce.


2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerry Schwartz ◽  
Darcy Tessman ◽  
Daniel McDonald

Project Based Learning models present authentic learning opportunities with real-life situations, enabling students to set their own learning goals and forge their own relationships (Barab, et al., 2001). The autonomy inherent in this model allows youth to bring their skills and experiences to real situations and to be seen as valued community members. This article describes a project-based learning model involving “externs,” who developed and implemented sustainability projects in their communities. Externs worked with Cooperative Extension professionals on locally relevant community projects during the summer of 2011 in three Arizona counties. The project based learning experience had a positive impact on the lives of our three externs.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Kathleen Jeehyae Kim

This study aimed to (1) to examine whether the constructs of dining out constraints (i.e., interpersonal constraint, structural constraint, and intrapersonal constraint) influence the frequency of mothers dining out with their family, (2) to investigate the relationship between cooking stress, the need for a reward, the desire to dine out, constraints, and the frequency of dining out as leisure, focusing on the entire process from problem/need recognition to purchase decision, (3) to identify whether dining out benefits (i.e., enjoyment, convenience, detachment, relaxation, and learning experience) influence the life satisfaction of mothers, and (4) to assess the moderating effects of mothers' cooking stress on the relationships among dining out benefits and life satisfaction. The results for the constraint model indicated that both interpersonal and structural constraints of dining out have significantly negative impacts on family dining out frequency, but it was failed to find the effect of intrapersonal constraint on family dining out frequency. The findings for the decision-making model indicated that cooking stress has significantly positive impacts on both desire to dine out and need for reward. It was also found that need for reward has a significantly positive impact on desire to dine out, and that desire to dine out has a significantly positive impact on perceived frequency of family dining out as leisure. It was revealed that desire to dine out also has significantly positive impacts on both interpersonal constraint and intrapersonal constraint, while there did not seem to be a positive relationship between desire to dine out and structural constraint. Both interpersonal constraint and structural constraint did not have significantly negative impacts on perceived frequency of dining out. Yet, intrapersonal constraint had a significantly negative impact on perceived frequency of dining out. The results for the benefit model indicated that enjoyment, convenience, relaxation, and learning experience have significantly positive impacts on life satisfaction after family dining out. On the other hand, detachment did not have a significant impact on life satisfaction after family dining out. Regarding the moderating effects of high versus low cooking stress groups, the effects of convenience and learning experience on life satisfaction were significantly smaller in the high cooking stress group than in the low cooking stress group, but the effects of enjoyment on life satisfaction were significantly stronger in the high cooking stress group than in the low cooking stress group. The effects of detachment and relaxation on life satisfaction were not significantly different between the high and low cooking stress groups. The implications of these findings for the restaurant management strategies to attract mothers and their families are discussed.


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