Overcoming the pull factor of convenient urban living – Perceptions of rural general practice placements

Figures & data

Table

Practice points

Rural general practice placements are at least as good as urban general practice placements in terms of impact on skills. There are academic and workforce reasons to encourage students to experience rural placements. There are strong pull factors to the urban setting. Students are put off rural placements by a desire to stay close to their university urban setting (social networks, existing commitments, accommodation) rather than by any negative features of the rural setting per se. Accommodation, isolation, communication and cost of travel are the main concerns for students.

Table 1.  Profile of sample interviewed by telephone.

Interviewee	Number of interviews
GP tutors (GP)	7
Senior partner in GP practice not currently taking students	1
Consultants	4
PAM	3
School of Medicine, Cardiff University (SoM)	4
Total	19

Table 2.  Five main themes from the analysis.

1. General practice provides a positive learning experience

2. Pull factors to the university town

3. Anxiety and expectation associated with a rural placement

4. Accommodation on placement

5. Transport – equity and cost