Rural general practice: is it a distinct discipline?

This article, an edited version of a paper presented to the RNZGP/RACGP Combined Conference, Wellington, New Zealand, 1994 explores the nature of rural practice so as to determine whether it qualifies as a distinct discipline. Certainly rural doctors live and work in a different world from their urban counterparts. The psychology and sociology of rural communities are markedly different from the cities. Also, the spectrum of illness and injuries with which rural doctors have to cope is specific to rural areas, and the structure and process of health services in the country are quite different. Rural doctors carry a higher level of clinical responsibility and provide a wider range of services in relative professional isolation.