How to succeed in remote workforce education

When compared to their metropolitan counterparts, remote rural practitioners may be described as 'extended generalists'. They provide a wider range of services, sustain a heavier workload, and carry a higher level of clinical responsibility in relative professional isolation. Research evidence shows that the three factors most strongly associated with entering rural practice are: (1) a rural background; (2) positive clinical and educational experiences in rural settings as part of undergraduate medical education; and (3) targeted training for rural practice after graduation. Drawing on this evidence, remote rural education pathways have been developed to maximize potential recruitment into remote rural practice. This workshop will explore models of remote and rural based education at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels to provide a context for interactive discussions which explore the principles and practice of education for remote rural practice in remote rural practice. The workshop will conclude with a summary of the important enablers of success in implementing remote workforce education pathways.

This abstract was presented at the Innovative Solutions in Remote Healthcare - 'Rethinking Remote' conference, 23-24 May 2016, Inverness, Scotland.