The Australian journal of rural health
-
Aust J Rural Health · Dec 2007
Multicenter StudyRecruitment and retention of rural general practitioners: a marketing approach reveals new possibilities.
This paper repositions the challenge of attracting and retaining rural GPs in a marketing context as a new focus for future research and policy development. ⋯ A marketing orientation to the GP challenge emphasises individual's perceptions of value, GP expectations and practice offerings. Failure to acknowledge benefits of this marketing approach means that solutions such as those developed in the Limestone Coast region are unlikely. Research is now required to define GP satisfaction and value for long-term viability of general practices.
-
Aust J Rural Health · Oct 2007
Informing rural and remote students about careers in health: factors influencing career decisions.
Since 1994 a state-wide program has been operating in Queensland to provide non-metropolitan secondary school students with information about health careers. Determination of the factors influencing the career decisions of rural and remote students was one objective of the evaluation of that program. ⋯ Self-interest is the largest self-reported factor to career decision making among students from rural and remote areas. Finance and career advice from school are not considered to be highly influential. However, these independent decisions can be substantially influenced by external information provided through health career workshops.
-
Aust J Rural Health · Oct 2007
ReviewImproving access to and outcomes from mental health care in rural Australia.
Rural Australians face particular difficulties in accessing mental health care. This paper explores whether 51 rural Access to Allied Psychological Services projects, funded under the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care program, are improving such access, and, if so, whether this is translating to positive consumer outcomes. ⋯ The findings suggest that the rural projects have the potential to improve access to mental health care for rural residents with depression and anxiety, by enabling GPs to refer them to allied health professionals. The findings are discussed with reference to recent reforms to mental health care delivery in Australia.