The National Rural Health Commissioner, Professor Jenny May AM, together with the Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges is proposing an evidence-based guideline for specialist medical colleges to consider during specialist training selection processes.
In addition to other selection criteria, the guidelines support colleges to value doctors with a rural background, and doctors who undertake rural placements and rotations.
Research by McGrail et al (2023) confirms that accounting for these 3 factors in selection processes can have a positive effect on creating a medical workforce who want to work in rural communities.
The National Rural Health Commissioner supports specialist medical colleges and the Chair of the Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges, Associate Professor Sanjay Jeganathan, in prioritising this evidence-based initiative. It is designed to improve patient access to specialists in rural communities.
In the words of the National Rural Health Commissioner:
‘Selecting and training for population need to the standards set by the colleges is a fundamental role that helps to deliver quality specialist health care for all Australians. The initiative from the Colleges to apply practical strategies to improve medical workforce distribution to rural and remote communities is welcome'.
The guidelines complement longstanding government programs and initiatives that support rural career pathways.
If implemented by the colleges, these guidelines will create a clearer rural pathway for doctors intending to practise in rural areas.