Original Research
The Healthcare Travelling Roadshow: a qualitative study of a rural community engagement initiative in Canada
AUTHORS
Sean B Maurice1 PhD, MEDD Site Director Years 1 & 2 * 
Kristjan Mytting2 BHSc, Medical Student
John Quinn Gentles3 MD, Surgery Resident
Robin Roots4 BHSc PT, MSc , Senior Instructor
Alina G Constantin5 MD, PhD, Senior Lab Instructor
Sonya L Kruger6 BBA, Communications Officer
Shelley Sim7 Councillor District of Clearwater
Warren Brock8 BA, Communications Manager
Olusegun Oyedele9 MBChB, PhD , Site Director
John A Soles10 MD, Physician and Chief of Staff
David Snadden11 MBChB, MD, Rural Doctor’s UBC Chair in Rural Health
AFFILIATIONS
1 Northern Medical Program, University of Northern BC, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC, V2N 4Z9, Canada; and Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
2, 5, 6 Northern Medical Program, University of Northern BC, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC, V2N 4Z9, Canada
3 Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
4 Northern Medical Program, University of Northern BC, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC, V2N 4Z9, Canada; and Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Northern and Rural Cohort at University of Northern BC, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC, V2N 4Z9, Canada
7 District of Clearwater, BC, Canada
8 Southern Medical Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia - Okanagan Campus, 1088 Discovery Avenue, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada
9 Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada; and Southern Medical Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia - Okanagan Campus, 1088 Discovery Avenue, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada
10 District of Clearwater, BC, Canada; and Department of Family Practice, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 5950 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
11 Northern Medical Program, University of Northern BC, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC, V2N 4Z9, Canada; and Department of Family Practice, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 5950 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
ACCEPTED: 1 July 2019
Dr Sean Maurice: The healthcare travelling roadshow
early abstract:
Introduction: Youth from rural communities face significant challenges in the pursuit of healthcare training. Healthcare trainees with a rural background are more likely than those without to practice rurally as healthcare professionals. The Healthcare Travelling Roadshow (HCTRS) is an initiative that provides rural youth with exposure to healthcare careers, while providing healthcare students with exposure to rural opportunities, and an interprofessional education experience. To our knowledge, this is the first description of an initiative for rural university-high school healthcare career outreach that involves near-peer teaching, highly interactive sessions, and an interprofessional focus.
Methods: Ten HCTRSs took place throughout northern, rural and remote British Columbia between 2010 and 2017. Questionnaires were delivered to youth in a pilot research project in 2010. Healthcare students and community members completed questionnaires for ongoing program evaluation from 2010 to 2017. Quantitative elements were graded on a 5-point Likert scale. Qualitative elements were analyzed thematically.
Results: Participants indicated that the program was very successful (4.71, 95% CI 4.63–4.79), would likely encourage healthcare students to consider rural practice (4.12, 95% CI 3.98–4.26), and that it inspired local youth to consider careers in healthcare much or very much (4.45, 95% CI 4.35–4.55). Qualitative analysis led to description of four themes: 1) Sincerity and interactivity sparking enthusiasm; 2) Learning through rural exposure and community engagement; 3) Healthcare student personal growth; and 4) Interprofessional collaboration and development. Open-ended feedback identified successes outside of the primary goals and illustrate how this program could act in a multi-faceted way to promote healthcare recruitment and retention.Constructive comments emphasized the importance of taking a balanced approach to planning the HCTRS, ensuring the goals of the HCTRS are best met, while meeting the needs of the host communities as much as possible.
Conclusions: The HCTRS is an interdisciplinary experience that successfully engages rural youth, healthcare students, and community stakeholders. Participants consistently indicated that it encouraged rural youth towards healthcare careers and healthcare students towards rural practice. Success of the program requires meaningful engagement with multiple academic and community stakeholders.