Susan E Heaney1, Helen Tolhurst, Surinder K Baines. 1. Discipline of General Practice, School of Medical Practice and Population Health, the University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to identify those factors that influence the decision of a dietitian to consider working in a rural area. DESIGN: A qualitative design using focus groups was chosen for this study to allow for in-depth data to be obtained. SETTING: University of Newcastle, Callaghan Campus. SUBJECTS: Twenty-three students/new graduates from the Bachelor of Health Science (Nutrition and Dietetics) degree at the University of Newcastle. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Not applicable, this project was an exploratory study. RESULTS: A number of factors that influence the decision of dietetic students and newly graduated dietitians to consider working in a rural area were identified. These fell into the following main thematic areas: job prospects; rural lifestyle; comfort zones; support networks; promotion opportunities/professional development; type of work/work role; rural needs; and time frame. CONCLUSIONS: The present study found that choosing a location to work (whether it be a rural one or not) is a complex process and involves a number of interacting factors. Also those factors that may influence one dietitian to choose a career in a rural area may also be the factors that influence another dietitian not to choose a career in a rural area.
OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to identify those factors that influence the decision of a dietitian to consider working in a rural area. DESIGN: A qualitative design using focus groups was chosen for this study to allow for in-depth data to be obtained. SETTING: University of Newcastle, Callaghan Campus. SUBJECTS: Twenty-three students/new graduates from the Bachelor of Health Science (Nutrition and Dietetics) degree at the University of Newcastle. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Not applicable, this project was an exploratory study. RESULTS: A number of factors that influence the decision of dietetic students and newly graduated dietitians to consider working in a rural area were identified. These fell into the following main thematic areas: job prospects; rural lifestyle; comfort zones; support networks; promotion opportunities/professional development; type of work/work role; rural needs; and time frame. CONCLUSIONS: The present study found that choosing a location to work (whether it be a rural one or not) is a complex process and involves a number of interacting factors. Also those factors that may influence one dietitian to choose a career in a rural area may also be the factors that influence another dietitian not to choose a career in a rural area.