
qualifications: MFamMed
contribution: original concept, designed the project, devised survey tool, literature review, collected data, wrote the first draft
position: Professor of Rural Health
South Africa
Professor Ian Couper is Head of the Division of Rural Health (Ukwanda) and Professor of Rural Health at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. A trained family physician, he spent nine years practising in a remote rural hospital in northern KwaZuluNatal province, and then 16 years working in primary care and health service development in rural North West province. He held the first chair of rural health at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). He has chaired both the Rural Doctors Association of Southern Africa (RuDASA) and the Wonca Working Party on Rural Practice (WONCA Rural).

qualifications: MFamMed
contribution: original concept, designed the project, devised survey tool, supervised data collection, contributed to drafts
position: Associate Professor
Family physician, educator interested in service learning, rural health, equity, consultation, management of health services, district health care
Medical students’ attitudes towards rural practice post-rural placement
article
Professional identity and rural workforce commitment among medical students in Japan
article
2026 Indigenous Wellbeing Conference, 12–13 October 2026, Ngambri and Ngunnawal Country (Canberra), Australia
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Transforming Community, Regional, and Rural Healthcare, 12 & 13 October 2026, Mayo Civic Center - Rochester, MN, USA
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RMA26 – Rural Medicine Australia Conference, 21–24 October 2026, Tarndanya (Adelaide), Australia
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2026 Aeromed Conference, 28–30 October 2026, Darwin, Australia
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Rural Mental Health Conference 2026, 4–6 November 2026, Gold Coast, Australia
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16th National Rural & Remote Allied Health Conference (SARRAH), 9–11 November 2026, Coffs Harbour, Australia
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Rural GP Association Scotland (RGPAS) Annual Conference 2026, 20–22 November 2026, Inverness
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IAHA Indigenous Allied Health Australia National Conference, 30 November–2 December 2026, Boorloo (Perth), Australia
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BC Rural Health Conference, 28–30 May 2027, Victoria, BC, Canada
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5th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference, 8–10 June 2027, Larrakia Country, Garramilla (Darwin), Australia
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Regional, Rural and Remote Emergency Medicine Conference 2027 (ACEM RRR EM27), 18–20 July 2027, Lutruwita/Tasmania, Australia
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