Factors and Attitudes Related to the Decision of Doctors, Dentists, and Pharmacists who Graduated in 2012 to Practice in Rural Areas

Abstract

This cross-sectional study was aimed at investigating basic personal information and other factors associated with the workplace selection decision of newly graduated doctors, dentists and pharmacists in 2011, and comparing their attitudes regarding working in rural areas. Questionnaires were used to collect data from 2,493 participants, selected through simple random sampling. The validity of the content of the questionnaires was approved by 3 experts and the questions were tested among university students. The series of questions included: 1) personal information and method of admission; 2) preferred workplace after completing a 1-year probation period and factors associated with their decision; and 3) attitude towards working in rural areas. Data were analyzed by using chi square and percentage. Results showed that the percentage of newly graduated doctors who chose to work in rural areas were 51.7, dentists 65.8, and pharmacists 45.3. The main characteristics of those who chose to work in community hospitals after completing a 1-year probation period were: growing up in a rural area, being graduated from universities outside Bangkok and metropolitan areas, and being graduated under the CPIRD project. The leading factor associated with their workplace selection decision was proximity to their hometown and families. In terms of attitude to working in rural areas, all members of these three professions gave high priority to the same issues, which reflected their positive attitude: namely a high level of friendliness and assistance from rural colleagues, and the opportunity to use their professional skills. Thus, these factors should be taken in to consideration to encourage graduates to work in rural area and appropriate curriculum to increase their readiness for working in rural areas.