Beating the Pull of Bright Lights, Big City
NUMBER 2 • 19 JULY 2010 MJACareers THE MEDICAL JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA Beating the pull of bright lights, big city MONEY can buy a lot of things but it “bundling” incentives was likely can’t always buy long-term commitment. to yield better results. Despite programs to tempt doctors to Co-author of the report, C1 take up posts in far-fl ung locations, the Professor John Humphreys, lure of big dollars to work in remote from the School of Rural Health rural practices is often not suffi cient to at Monash University, says it is retain health care workers once they important for health services to have fulfi lled the initial terms of their help strike a balance for doctors, appointment. allowing them to be productive Indeed, there are lessons to be learnt and happy. Better work–life from other industries, such as mining, balance had become a mantra to entice doctors and other health for all. workers to stay on. Improving day-to- “Because doctors are intelligent day living comfort and job satisfaction by people, they look for packages Professor Humphreys also says it is maintaining access to professional support, that meet their greater needs. Retention often not the most remote communities offering city visits and access to childcare grants are a starting point. But there need that have the biggest trouble retaining and air-conditioned housing can be as to be options beyond those,” he says. doctors, but country towns that are in important as a substantial pay packet. The report, a project of the Australian overall decline, with empty shopfronts So say the authors of the report, Retention Primary Health Care Research Institute, and an air of despair about them.
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