Spousal perspectives on factors influencing recruitment and retention of rural family physicians

Mayo, Erin (2004) Spousal perspectives on factors influencing recruitment and retention of rural family physicians. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (1MB)

Abstract

Recruiting and retaining medical personnel to rural communities is a human resource challenge. Studies suggest that the spouse's experiences and perceptions of a rural community are among the most influential factors in a physician's decision to remain in or leave a rural practice. -- In this explorative study, thirteen interviews were conducted with spouses of rural physicians to gain a better understanding of spousal concerns and experiences regarding rural living. Specifically, this study describes the factors that both directly and indirectly influence spousal contentment and explores how these factors contribute toward recruitment and retention of physicians to rural practice locations. Participants in this study included the spouses of general practitioners and family physicians practicing and living in rural communities (population 10,000 or less) on the Burin and Bonavista Peninsulas. -- The findings indicate physician workload and community integration have the greatest direct influence on spousal contentment, while licensure, remuneration, and physician demand indirectly influence spousal contentment and ultimately practice location decisions. Overall, contentment of both physicians and their spouses was found to be crucial for recruitment and retention therefore policies need to be integrated to serve both parties with their best interest in mind.

Actions (login required)

View Item