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Understanding the Factors Influencing Junior Doctors’ Career Decision-Making to Address Rural Workforce Issues: Testing a Conceptual Framework

Author

Listed:
  • Beatriz Cuesta-Briand

    (Rural Clinical School of Western Australia, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, West Busselton 6280, Australia)

  • Mathew Coleman

    (Rural Clinical School of Western Australia, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, West Busselton 6280, Australia)

  • Rebekah Ledingham

    (Rural Clinical School of Western Australia, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, West Busselton 6280, Australia)

  • Sarah Moore

    (Rural Clinical School of Western Australia, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, West Busselton 6280, Australia)

  • Helen Wright

    (Rural Clinical School of Western Australia, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, West Busselton 6280, Australia)

  • David Oldham

    (Western Australia Country Health Service, Perth 6000, Australia)

  • Denese Playford

    (Rural Clinical School of Western Australia, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, West Busselton 6280, Australia)

Abstract

Medical graduates’ early career is known to be disorienting, and career decision-making is influenced by a complex set of factors. There is a strong association between rural background and rural undergraduate training and rural practice, and personal and family factors have been shown to influence workplace location, but the interaction between interest, training availability, and other work-relevant factors has not yet been fully explored. A qualitative study conducted by the Rural Clinical School of Western Australia (RCSWA) and WA Country Health Service (WACHS) explored factors influencing the decision to pursue rural work among junior doctors. Data collection and analysis was iterative. In total, 21 junior doctors were recruited to participate in semi-structured telephone interviews. Two main themes relating to the systems of influence on career decision-making emerged: (1) The importance of place and people, and (2) the broader context. We found that career decision-making among junior doctors is influenced by a complex web of factors operating at different levels. As Australia faces the challenge of developing a sustainable rural health workforce, developing innovative, flexible strategies that are responsive to the individual aspirations of its workforce whilst still meeting its healthcare service delivery needs will provide a way forward.

Suggested Citation

  • Beatriz Cuesta-Briand & Mathew Coleman & Rebekah Ledingham & Sarah Moore & Helen Wright & David Oldham & Denese Playford, 2020. "Understanding the Factors Influencing Junior Doctors’ Career Decision-Making to Address Rural Workforce Issues: Testing a Conceptual Framework," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-12, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:2:p:537-:d:308778
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Catherine Cosgrave, 2020. "Context Matters: Findings from a Qualitative Study Exploring Service and Place Factors Influencing the Recruitment and Retention of Allied Health Professionals in Rural Australian Public Health Servic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-27, August.
    2. Belinda O’Sullivan & Matthew McGrail & Tiana Gurney & Priya Martin, 2020. "A Realist Evaluation of Theory about Triggers for Doctors Choosing a Generalist or Specialist Medical Career," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-17, November.
    3. Shiikha, Yulia & Ledingham, Rebekah & Playford, Denese, 2023. "The ties that bind: Social network analysis describes the social element of medical workforce recruitment to rural/remote Australia," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 322(C).
    4. Beatriz Cuesta-Briand & Mathew Coleman & Rebekah Ledingham & Sarah Moore & Helen Wright & David Oldham & Denese Playford, 2020. "Extending a Conceptual Framework for Junior Doctors’ Career Decision Making and Rural Careers: Explorers versus Planners and Finding the ‘Right Fit’," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-11, February.

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