Opportunities for research in rural practice.

The contributions of Denis Burkitt, William Budd, Sir James MacKenzie and Will Pickles, among others, are examples of the research that can be accomplished by busy doctors in a general practice or a rural setting with a minimum of equipment. It is still possible to undertake worthwhile research in rural areas of Canada. This contention is supported by many examples of published work from northern Newfoundland and Labrador. The studies have dealt with conditions that are particularly frequent in each region, including those due to nutritional deficiency, infection, extremes of climate and genetic factors. Epidemiologic studies have compared the occurrence of disease in different geographic regions and in different races. The content of general practice and methods of health care delivery have also been investigated. It is suggested that some of these observations could have been made only in the context of rural medical practice.     

Recruiting physicians to rural practice. Suggestions for success.

Medical school graduates from 1986 to 1988 and current residents in 12 family practice residency programs in the Northwest (N = 302) were surveyed to identify important factors in the recruitment process for their first postresidency placement. The study sought to compare the recruitment practices of rural communities and urban sites. Specific questions addressed in the study concerned sources of information about practice opportunities, stage in training when job search was initiated, factors related to unsuccessful site visits, and activities scheduled in the visit. Results indicated that referrals from faculty were the most valued source of information. Most job searches were initiated in the first 6 months of the third year in training. An unreceptive physician community and a reluctant spouse or partner were substantial problems for residents making site visits to rural communities. Rural sites tended to provide a broader mix of professional and personal activities during the visit.