Volume eight, Issue 3

In North America and other world regions with an underserved rural population, a common lament is that medical graduates "just don't go". Our co-regional editor suggests another perspective in this provocative editorial.

Rural students are often seen as a 'minority' group that is prejudiced against in relation to admission to health professional courses. However, when brought together with other 'minorities', such as low income, poor access to high schooling, poor infant nutrition etc, this article makes the point that it is actually the MAJORITY of students who are prejudiced against in current health professional admissions policies - and the result is less choosing to practice in rural and remote regions. Check out the article to see for yourself.

Is there life after placement? This small look at a larger study examines the lives of Australian rural men and women after their care recipient is admitted to residential care. Do they reconnect with the community, or do they continue their carer role? Read this research to find out.

Read this article to see the amazing health results of a 'meal at school' intervention for girls in rural Pakistan.

Improving basic knowledge of diabetes is necessary to improve uptake of treatments to prevent eye complications. See new evidence in this study from rural India.

Addressing the poor maternal and child health outcomes of disadvantaged groups is a high priority in all countries. This article by a South Australia team describes a partnership between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal health workers to provide appropriate and holistic care to Aboriginal women and their children.

Patient satisfaction is important, from community clinics to private services. This small satisfaction survey from rural India suggests that quality care is possible in community outreach dentistry.

Children and young people need to be managed in an environment that is safe and appropriate - they shouldn't just be put in with the adults. This interesting study gives the clinician's perspective on how different it feels to see children in a purpose-designed place.

Is there a simple solution to providing more family medicine graduates for under-served rural populations? This US research from New York City suggests there is.

How to secure an adequate supply of medical graduates for rural populations? Read about Japan's answer to this universal question.

In the shadow of an ageing rural nursing workforce, an important question concerns the attributes desired among the new cohort of graduate rural nurses. This detailed Australian consumer research has identified some key outcomes that will equip future rural nurses for a career in the bush.

In geographically small countries, what influence does rural and remote undergraduate medical student experience have on subsequent practice location? In the absence of evidence, this Scottish pilot study begins at the beginning in seeking to identify why medical students chose an extended remote and rural program - and what impact this had on their academic performance.

This positive study on rural practice intention following a rural health placement in Tasmania, Australia, challenges us to capatalise on these intentions to enrich the rural health workforce with new graduates.

Tracking the outcomes of students placement is easier said than done - most go their own way after graduation and are lost to follow up. Congratulations to a group of researchers from rural Victoria, Australia, who have reversed this trend! Now, read the article to see if their study supports the value of rural placements - or not.

The mature women who are often Australian regional nursing students do not match the assumptions we have of undergraduate students. This fascinating study follows such students on a unique educational 'crusade' toward their goal of graduation.

This study of intimate partner violence in Nigeria identifies a range of wider social, cultural and religious issues that must be considered and addressed.

Is there value in a 2-week rural clinical rotation for final year medical students? Students certainly think so! This article from South Africa demonstrates that students appreciate the excellent opportunities in rural communities to develop relevant practical skills, and want more of the same.

Do you want to understand the comparative lengths of service in rural communities you can expect for training different types of health professionals? This article from North America introduces an innovative method and uses it to compare various health professional training outcomes for rural communities.

"Sense of belonging" - the title sums it all up when student nurses learn in small facilities that are indeed family units. This ethnography is useful not only for rural nursing, but for all health professional training in rural areas or in self-contained urban units serving those in most need of health care.

Tents, tipis and yurts - all are discernable in the complex, contemporary structures that are our portable field hospitals. Find out how and much, much more by reading this comprehensive article from the US.

Exceptional circumstances require exceptional solutions. In Australia's remote Northern Territory, physicians from outposts can be trained to take simple X-rays. After their initial training a manual is their Bible. This article describes the process of revision for this vital document.

For academics, finding the right words to describe the reality of students' clinical placement experience, and to define a clinical curriculum can be a great challenge. These authors have done a commendable job that will assist others facing the same tasks.

Heterotopic pregnancy (the co-existence of intrauterine and ectopic pregnancies) is said to be rare but increasing in incidence. This case report highlights some treatment difficulties - and the role of family physicians in reducing maternal mortality in resource-limited settings.

Residential aged care units are often the site of end-of-life care for ageing Australians. This important task deserves appropriate funding that recognises the complexity of the work. The important background information for policy-makers in this article has the potential to improve the lot of terminally ill elderly Australians.

This project report describes how a medical relief team in Ethiopia adapted their ineffective patient screening processes to suit local circumstances, to good effect. It provides a reminder that the purpose and scope of any intervention need to be clarified.

This RIPPER initiative from the University of Tasmania, Australia, brought together health sciences undergraduates to promote rural health team collaboration and practice intention. Was it successful? It was a ripper!

This preliminary report from Malawi describes a process of developing standards for maternity care together with a multidisciplinary team of health professionals. This early involvement of the team, as opposed to an outside panel of experts, was found to be feasible and may be key in ensuring sustainable implementation of standards.