The Australian journal of rural health
-
Aust J Rural Health · Dec 2019
Critical care burden of skin and soft tissue infection in Central Australia: More than skin deep.
To describe the epidemiology, critical care resource use of and outcomes from an intensive care admission for a skin or soft tissue infection in Central Australia. ⋯ The annualised incidence of skin or soft tissue infection requiring intensive care support in Central Australia is higher than expected. This probably reflects the high burden of chronic disease and poor living conditions. While there is no mortality burden associated with skin or soft tissue infection in Central Australia, there is substantial morbidity. The data from this study adds weight to the call for improved primary health resources for this group.
-
Aust J Rural Health · Dec 2019
A case-study of the experiences of junior medical officers in the emergency departments of a metropolitan hospital and rural hospital.
Increased exposure to post-graduate rural medical training is associated with increased likelihood of future rural practice. Training rotations in rural emergency departments provide a possible avenue for such exposure, but have been under-investigated. This study aimed to compare junior medical officers' emergency department experiences in a metropolitan and a rural hospital to inform rural health workforce initiatives. ⋯ Most junior medical officers agreed that their expectations for support and learning opportunities were met and/or exceeded. However, junior medical officers reported feeling more supported at the rural hospital due to direct contact and communication with senior medical officers. Placement in a smaller hospital emergency department did not disadvantage the junior medical officers' training in this case-study and provided a positive rural training experience. These findings support workforce policies which encourage rural hospital emergency department training.
-
Aust J Rural Health · Dec 2019
Attracting junior doctors to rural centres: A national study of work-life conditions and satisfaction.
Junior doctors, in their first four years of medical work, are an important part of the health care team. Attracting and retaining these doctors to rural areas underpins the development of the future rural workforce. This is the first national-scale study about satisfaction of junior doctors, based on their work location, to inform recruitment and retention. ⋯ While both metropolitan and rural junior doctors are generally satisfied, many professional and personal aspects of satisfaction differ considerably by work location. In order to attract early career doctors, the benefits of rural work should be emphasised and perceived weaknesses mitigated.