Orientation of IMGs: a rural evaluation.

Successful orientation and continued support for international medical graduates (IMGs) and their families might improve the retention of doctors in the rural medical workforce to the benefit of rural communities. Divisions of general practice are in an ideal position to coordinate orientation and continued support for new rural IMGs, as they are familiar with the local medical scene and with existing supports for families of doctors living in the area. The Eyre Peninsula Division of General Practice in South Australia evaluated the orientation received by new IMGs who had come to work in this division between 1998 and 2003, to find ways of improving orientation for future IMGs.