The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) acknowledges the findings from a recent University of Melbourne study that implies a key motivator for urban GPs to move and work in a rural area is primarily based on financial incentives.
The research, Getting Doctors into the Bush: GP’s Preferences for Rural Location, found that desired compensation varied according to practice location and workplace conditions indicating that urban-based GPs would require a salary increase of up to $200,000 to work in some rural areas.
Dr Kathy Kirkpatrick, Chair of the RACGP National Rural Faculty (NRF) and practising GP in Dalby, Queensland, says it is unfortunate that main stream media focused on the financial aspects of the report and did not highlight the complexities around recruitment and retention to general practice in rural and remote Australia.
“This recent study adds to the growing body of literature on the motivators driving rural and remote practice, however it is important to take into consideration how the questions that form the basis of the research were framed.
The College’s recent submission to the Senate Inquiry, The factors affecting the supply of health services and medical professionals in rural areas, called on government to address a wide range of essential factors contributing to the current rural health inequities and workforce capacity – and not just look to financial incentives as the answer.
“The growing membership of the College’s National Rural Faculty is reflective of the increasing popularity to select rural general practice as a desired and rewarding career path – a sentiment captured within our ‘Getting to know our rural GPs’initiative outlining real-life rural GP experiences.
“We know there are many other motivators outside of financial incentives that draw GPs to rural general practice. These include lifestyle factors, the opportunity to manage complex health presentations utilising advanced skills, and the opportunity for strong non-procedural and procedural mix,” Dr Kirkpatrick said.
The RACGP will continue to advocate for better recognition and support for rural GPs across all contributing factors that support a healthy rural general practice workforce.