Queensland is struggling to attract and keep doctors in rural areas, but strengthening connections to place could improve this.
A study from the University of Queensland on the job satisfaction of rural doctors found that giving trainee doctors the opportunity to stay in rural areas for longer, and familiarise themselves with the area, can make the long-term move more desirable.
Dr Remo Ostini, the coordinating editor of the paper, says, “Leaving before you’re settling in like that would just leave you but feeling a bit jarred and bit jaded.”