A comparison of rural and regional work locations and speciality choices between graduates from the University of Wollongong and all Australian medical schools using the Medical Schools Outcomes Database

Colin H. Cortie; David Garne; Lyndal Parker-Newlyn; Rowena G. Ivers; Judy Mullan; Kylie J. Mansfield; Andrew Bonney

doi:10.1111/ajr.13077

A comparison of rural and regional work locations and speciality choices between graduates from the University of Wollongong and all Australian medical schools using the Medical Schools Outcomes Database

Colin H. Cortie, David Garne, Lyndal Parker-Newlyn, Rowena G. Ivers, Judy Mullan, Kylie J. Mansfield, Andrew Bonney

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

Introduction: The shortfall in medical workers in rural and remote Australia has led to health discrepancies in these regions. The University of Wollongong’s medical program was designed to encourage graduates to work in these regions to address this shortfall.

Objective: To compare rural and regional locations of work and choices of speciality between University of Wollongong's graduates and graduates from all Australian universities.

Design: We conducted a longitudinal analysis on data available from the Medical Schools Outcome database, with graduate exit surveys linked to registrations of location and speciality. Rural and remote locations were identified as MM2-7 regions using the Modified Monash Model. In total, 716 graduates from the University of Wollongong and 26 915 graduates from all Australian medical schools completed the MSOD exit survey in 2010-2021 and registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency in 2022. The main outcome was the relative likelihood (relative risk) of cohorts working in rural and regional areas and of cohorts choosing general practice as their speciality.

Findings: University of Wollongong's medical graduates were 1.51 times or 51% more likely to work in regional or rural areas (RR 1.51, 95% CI 1.34 to 1.71, p < 0.0001). Respondents who were 10 or more years post graduation were 1.57 times or 57% more likely to specialise in general practice than all other Australian medical graduates (RR 1.57 95% CI: 1.40 to 1.79, p < 0.0001).

Discussion: The University of Wollongong's medical school is producing graduates to meet Australia's rural health workforce needs. This may be due to a higher intake of rural students, and a higher percentage of students taking rural placements.

Conclusions: Rural health workforce needs can be addressed through rural-focussed education strategies.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	152-161
Number of pages	10
Journal	Australian Journal of Rural Health
Volume	32
Issue number	1
Early online date	12 Dec 2023
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/ajr.13077
Publication status	Published - Feb 2024
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

general practice
longitudinal tracking
Medical School Outcomes Database
medical students
MSOD

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10.1111/ajr.13077Licence: CC BY-NC

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Cite this

Cortie, C. H., Garne, D., Parker-Newlyn, L., Ivers, R. G., Mullan, J., Mansfield, K. J., & Bonney, A. (2024). A comparison of rural and regional work locations and speciality choices between graduates from the University of Wollongong and all Australian medical schools using the Medical Schools Outcomes Database. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 32(1), 152-161. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajr.13077

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title = "A comparison of rural and regional work locations and speciality choices between graduates from the University of Wollongong and all Australian medical schools using the Medical Schools Outcomes Database",

abstract = "Introduction: The shortfall in medical workers in rural and remote Australia has led to health discrepancies in these regions. The University of Wollongong{\textquoteright}s medical program was designed to encourage graduates to work in these regions to address this shortfall. Objective: To compare rural and regional locations of work and choices of speciality between University of Wollongong's graduates and graduates from all Australian universities. Design: We conducted a longitudinal analysis on data available from the Medical Schools Outcome database, with graduate exit surveys linked to registrations of location and speciality. Rural and remote locations were identified as MM2-7 regions using the Modified Monash Model. In total, 716 graduates from the University of Wollongong and 26 915 graduates from all Australian medical schools completed the MSOD exit survey in 2010-2021 and registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency in 2022. The main outcome was the relative likelihood (relative risk) of cohorts working in rural and regional areas and of cohorts choosing general practice as their speciality. Findings: University of Wollongong's medical graduates were 1.51 times or 51% more likely to work in regional or rural areas (RR 1.51, 95% CI 1.34 to 1.71, p < 0.0001). Respondents who were 10 or more years post graduation were 1.57 times or 57% more likely to specialise in general practice than all other Australian medical graduates (RR 1.57 95% CI: 1.40 to 1.79, p < 0.0001). Discussion: The University of Wollongong's medical school is producing graduates to meet Australia's rural health workforce needs. This may be due to a higher intake of rural students, and a higher percentage of students taking rural placements. Conclusions: Rural health workforce needs can be addressed through rural-focussed education strategies.",

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author = "Cortie, {Colin H.} and David Garne and Lyndal Parker-Newlyn and Ivers, {Rowena G.} and Judy Mullan and Mansfield, {Kylie J.} and Andrew Bonney",

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Cortie, CH, Garne, D, Parker-Newlyn, L, Ivers, RG, Mullan, J, Mansfield, KJ & Bonney, A 2024, 'A comparison of rural and regional work locations and speciality choices between graduates from the University of Wollongong and all Australian medical schools using the Medical Schools Outcomes Database', Australian Journal of Rural Health, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 152-161. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajr.13077

A comparison of rural and regional work locations and speciality choices between graduates from the University of Wollongong and all Australian medical schools using the Medical Schools Outcomes Database. / Cortie, Colin H.; Garne, David; Parker-Newlyn, Lyndal et al.
In: Australian Journal of Rural Health, Vol. 32, No. 1, 02.2024, p. 152-161.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Cortie CH, Garne D, Parker-Newlyn L, Ivers RG, Mullan J, Mansfield KJ et al. A comparison of rural and regional work locations and speciality choices between graduates from the University of Wollongong and all Australian medical schools using the Medical Schools Outcomes Database. Australian Journal of Rural Health. 2024 Feb;32(1):152-161. Epub 2023 Dec 12. doi: 10.1111/ajr.13077

A comparison of rural and regional work locations and speciality choices between graduates from the University of Wollongong and all Australian medical schools using the Medical Schools Outcomes Database

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