Enhancing Rural Retention of General Practitioner Registrars: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study

Objective

To examine the impact of an individualised registrar training programme on final year General Practitioner (GP) trainees' experiences and decisions to remain in a rural setting.

Methods

This pilot study utilised a concurrent three-phase mixed methods triangulation design to collect quantitative and qualitative data derived from surveys and interviews.

Setting

A healthcare service in a priority GP area of regional Australia.

Participants

Overseas-born GP trainees and supervisors.

Main Outcome Measures

Demographic factors and aspects of rural retention pertaining to Whole-of-Person Retention Improvement Framework, such as remuneration, opportunities for training, connectedness to the community, and job satisfaction.

Results

Seven individuals (five registrars and two supervisors) participated in this study. All trainees agreed that final year remuneration impacts their decision to stay in a location on completion of their training. Intention to remain in the same location was also influenced by a range of other factors, including stage of life, social isolation, limited opportunities for partners and children, feelings of being treated differently, and access to additional training.

Conclusions

To enhance recruitment and retention in rural settings, future research should utilise the three interrelated components of the Whole-of-Person Retention Improvement Framework: community/place, role/career, and workplace/organisational environment.