Objective: There is a severe shortage of psychiatrists in rural Australia and in provincial areas of New Zealand. One factor that is associated with uptake of rural practice is having a positive experience of rural practice during training. Therefore, in 2003 the RANZCP incorporated a compulsory, short-term, rural clinical placement for all trainees to be completed during their basic or advanced training.
Aims: To examine the future plans of trainees in relation to rural practice. It was hypothesised that interest in rural practice would have increased since the introduction of the rural compulsory placement.
Method: In 2006, 267 trainees completed an online survey designed by the RANZCP about their work history and career plans.
Results: About three quarters of trainees were currently working in an urban area and 85% of trainees reported having had a rural work experience. In addition, the level of interest towards rural psychiatry was high, as 39% of trainees report interest in living and working in rural areas and many more would consider locum work or visiting rural areas.
Conclusion: There has been a substantial increase in interest in rural psychiatry since the 2005 AMWAC survey and introduction of compulsory rural placements. Further research is required to examine whether there is a direct relationship between compulsory rural placements and interest in rural psychiatry. It is important that the RANZCP continue to support activities which promote rural practice in psychiatry.
