Do South African medical students of rural origin return to rural practice?

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dc.contributor.authorde Vries, Elma
dc.contributor.authorREID, Steve
dc.date.accessioned2021-10-08T07:17:55Z
dc.date.available2021-10-08T07:17:55Z
dc.date.issued2003
dc.description.abstractOBJECTIVES: To investigate the career choices of medical graduates of rural origin in the South African context, and to determine what proportion of rural-origin graduates are currently practising in a rural area. DESIGN: This is a retrospective descriptive study. Doctors' addresses at the time of graduation were compared with their current addresses in terms of rural/urban classification, and a questionnaire survey was done. SUBJECTS: Sample A consisted of a cohort of doctors who graduated in 1991 and 1992. Sample B consisted of the 1994-1996 graduates of two medical schools. OUTCOME MEASURES: Percentage of rural-origin graduates in rural practice. RESULTS: In sample A 14.4% were rural-origin students. When comparing addresses, it was found that 38.4% of rural-origin graduates are currently practising in rural areas, compared with 12.4% of urban-origin graduates (p < 0.001). The questionnaire data showed that 45.9% of the rural-origin respondents are in rural practice, compared with 13.3% of the urban-origin respondents (p = 0.001). In sample B, 41.61% of the rural-origin graduates are in rural practice compared with 5.08% of urban-origin graduates (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The findings suggest that the South African situation is similar to that in other countries, with rural-origin medical students more likely to choose rural careers than urban-origin students. Rural-origin graduates are also more likely to choose general practice. It is recommended that the selection criteria of the medical faculties be reviewed with regard to rural origin, and that the career aspirations of applicants to medical school be taken into account in selection, particularly with regard to primary care or general practice.
dc.identifier.apacitationde Vries, E., & REID, S. (2003). Do South African medical students of rural origin return to rural practice?. <i>South African Medical Journal</i>, 93(10), 789 - 93. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34863en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationde Vries, Elma, and Steve REID "Do South African medical students of rural origin return to rural practice?." <i>South African Medical Journal</i> 93, 10. (2003): 789 - 93. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34863en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationde Vries, E. & REID, S. 2003. Do South African medical students of rural origin return to rural practice?. <i>South African Medical Journal.</i> 93(10):789 - 93. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34863en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn0038-2469
dc.identifier.ris TY - Journal Article AU - de Vries, Elma AU - REID, Steve AB - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the career choices of medical graduates of rural origin in the South African context, and to determine what proportion of rural-origin graduates are currently practising in a rural area. DESIGN: This is a retrospective descriptive study. Doctors' addresses at the time of graduation were compared with their current addresses in terms of rural/urban classification, and a questionnaire survey was done. SUBJECTS: Sample A consisted of a cohort of doctors who graduated in 1991 and 1992. Sample B consisted of the 1994-1996 graduates of two medical schools. OUTCOME MEASURES: Percentage of rural-origin graduates in rural practice. RESULTS: In sample A 14.4% were rural-origin students. When comparing addresses, it was found that 38.4% of rural-origin graduates are currently practising in rural areas, compared with 12.4% of urban-origin graduates (p < 0.001). The questionnaire data showed that 45.9% of the rural-origin respondents are in rural practice, compared with 13.3% of the urban-origin respondents (p = 0.001). In sample B, 41.61% of the rural-origin graduates are in rural practice compared with 5.08% of urban-origin graduates (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The findings suggest that the South African situation is similar to that in other countries, with rural-origin medical students more likely to choose rural careers than urban-origin students. Rural-origin graduates are also more likely to choose general practice. It is recommended that the selection criteria of the medical faculties be reviewed with regard to rural origin, and that the career aspirations of applicants to medical school be taken into account in selection, particularly with regard to primary care or general practice. DA - 2003 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town IS - 10 J1 - South African Medical Journal LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PY - 2003 SM - 0038-2469 T1 - Do South African medical students of rural origin return to rural practice? TI - Do South African medical students of rural origin return to rural practice? UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34863 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/34863
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationde Vries E, REID S. Do South African medical students of rural origin return to rural practice?. South African Medical Journal. 2003;93(10):789 - 93. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34863.en_ZA
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Public Health and Family Medicine
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Health Sciences
dc.sourceSouth African Medical Journal
dc.source.journalissue10
dc.source.journalvolume93
dc.source.pagination789 - 93
dc.source.urihttps://dx.doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.2367
dc.subject.otherPublic health
dc.subject.otherStudent
dc.subject.otherRural environment
dc.subject.otherMedicine
dc.subject.otherSouth Africa
dc.subject.otherAfrica
dc.subject.otherSanté publique
dc.subject.otherEtudiant
dc.subject.otherMilieu rural
dc.subject.otherMédecine
dc.subject.otherAfrique du Sud
dc.subject.otherAfrique
dc.subject.otherSalud pública
dc.subject.otherEstudiante
dc.subject.otherMedio rural
dc.subject.otherMedicina
dc.subject.otherSudáfrica
dc.titleDo South African medical students of rural origin return to rural practice?
dc.typeJournal Article
uct.type.publicationResearch
uct.type.resourceJournal Article
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