GP Registrar partner perceptions of living in a rural community

1
GP Registrar partner perceptions of living in a
rural community

• Dr Caroline Laurence Dr Stacey
  PanozzoAdelaide to Outback GP Training Program
• RDWA Conference, 8 November 2008

2
Background

• Limited research on the preconceptions to living
  in a rural community for the partners of GPs
  enrolled in GP training program
• Training requirements
• General pathway - 6 month rural placements
• Rural pathway 18 months rural placements
• Adelaide to Outback GP Training Program had a
  number of registrars reluctant to commit to a
  rural pathway
• Family and partner issues
• RDWA funding

3
Study design

• Qualitative methodology
• Focus groups with partners of GP registrars about
  to undertake a rural placement in 2008
• Nominal group technique
• Participants
• Partners from three regional training providers
  in SA
• Adelaide to Outback GP Training Program
• Sturt Fleurieu Education and Training
• Greater Green Triangle
• 12 partners in two focus groups
• Analysis
• Thematic analysis

4
Results Participant characteristics
5
Results Identified themes

• Negative and barriers to rural practice/living
• Amenities
• Education
• Community size
• Work
• Positive and benefits of rural practice/living
• Culture
• Education
• Lifestyle
• Physical environment

6

• Work
• GP workload
• Lack of employment opportunities
• Lack of opportunities for adult children

• Education
• Negative opportunities for children

I miss my wife.. My wifes actually going just
part time so she will be away from home two or
three days a week so I actually wont see her for
three days on end.. Im doing my training here
Adelaide
Well my partner and I, we like to go places,
like to try different food or try different
things to do, but I dont think the rural area
has that many places
I mean, obviously less opportunitiesyou cant
find a similar job there rural community
We have got a problem with kids at secondary
school

• Amenities
• Lack of accommodation options
• Lack of entertainment
• Lifestyle/cultural differences
• Quality and cost of living
• Partner loneliness/boredom

• Community size
• Disparity in SA town sizes
• Everyone knows who you are
• Separation/distance from partner and family

7

• Culture
• Everyone knows who you are
• Smaller and closer knit community
• New culture

• Physical environment
• Quieter and peaceful
• Good environment for raising family

they get really good primary school education.
You take your pick.the primary schools are great
I think to me its where you get to know
everybody in that same environment. Whether your
are a doctor or you are a teacher, its one small
family
Its quieter and less hectic away from the
busyness of the citynot so many people here and
rushing there
more outdoor activities, new different kinds
of activities

• Education
• Positive educational opportunities

• Lifestyle
• Recreational and leisure activity
• Safe environment
• Save money

8
Summary

• Positive and negative views of rural communities
• Some views of registrar partner similar to
  established rural GPs spouses/partners, but some
  relate to the training requirements
• Gained a greater understanding of the partner
  views of rural placements, particularly for those
  who are undertaking 6 month placements
• Identified areas that could address the negative
  perceptions for RTPs and support agencies such as
  RDWA