A profile of rural surgeons in Australia

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Objectives: To develop a profile of rural surgeons for comparison with profiles of rural general practitioners in the light of shortages in the rural medical workforce. Design: Rural surgeons were surveyed by a postal questionnaire in November 1997. Participants: Members of the Provincial Surgeons of Australia residing in towns with fewer than 50000 inhabitants. Results: 239 questionnaires were sent and 137 surgeons replied, a response rate of 59%. Our survey showed that rural surgeons are predominantly male, middle‐aged and married. They work long hours, and nominate as their major concerns difficulty in finding locum cover, continual on‐call work, peer isolation, children's schooling, and lack of privacy. Conclusion: Rural surgeons and general practitioners share similar characteristics and concerns.

This publication has 8 references indexed in Scilit: