1. Demography and Family Structure - NRGPS Abstract

Aims

This paper sets out to identify evidence of change in demographic and family related characteristics of rural medical practitioners. It is argued that the nature of rural practice would be affected by demographic changes and changes to the family structures of rural practitioners. Programs designed for the recruitment, retention, training, and support of rural practitioners should be responding to current and anticipated changes in their target populations. Demographic and family structure changes are the most fundamental population changes.

Methods

The National Rural General Practice Study collected some basic demographic (age and sex) and family structure (number and ages of children and marital status of practitioner) information from almost 1400 rural and remote medical practitioners. This information can be compared with data from previous studies in Western Australia, Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland, and with national data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Medical Labour Force collection. Information will be compared and analysed to identify changes in: the proportion of male and female practitioners; the age distribution of the practitioner population; and some characteristics relating to practitioners’ personal partners and children.

Results

While there is evidence of an increasing proportion of female rural practitioners entering the workforce, the rate of increase is not commensurate with the overall rate of increase of female medical graduates. There is some evidence that the rural medical practitioner population is aging, and this may reflect difficulties in attracting younger practitioners to the country. Male and female practitioners appear to have different relationships with their personal partners, and there is some evidence that these differences substantially effect decisions about where to practice and for how long. While the presence of children in a family is related to the length of stay in a practice, it appears that doctors with children (especially young children) will stay longer in a single practice location than doctors without children.

Discussion

Programs which have been developed on the basis of previous expectations about the nature of rural medical practice may not be able to deal adequately with changes in the demographic profile of the rural medical practitioner population. This is evidenced by a poor recent record in attracting increasing numbers of female medical practitioners, and an apparent difficulty in attracting young practitioners. While programs have recognised the role of the family in ensuring successful practice experiences, there is evidence that family structures and dynamics are changing. Recruitment, retention, training and support programs will need to acknowledge these changes and ensure that they remain relevant to their target populations.

Further Information

Further information about the National Rural General Practice Study and its implications for rural general practice policy in Australia can be found in the study working papers and final report. You can obtain copies of the working papers and final report from the School of Rural Health.