ALBERTA RURAL PHYSICIAN ACTION PLAN - AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO EDUCATION, RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION

THIS PAPER DESCRIBES THE DEVELOPMENT and characteristics of a comprehe nsive, integrated and sustained program for the education, recruitment and retention of physicians for rural practice in Alberta - the Rural Physician Action Plan. The participation of key stakeholders (includi ng government, the provincial medical association, the licensing autho rity, faculties of medicine, practising rural physicians and regional health authorities) and a sustained program budget have been key organ izational issues for success. Critical to the effectiveness of this pr ogram has been the focus on professional and lifestyle issues targetin g 3 distinct groups: physicians in training, physicians in practice, a nd rural communities and health authorities. Substantial program fundi ng since 1991-92 of up to $3 million per year has increased rural-base d activities significantly. For example, 87% of medical students and 9 1% of residents in family medicine in Alberta now experience 4 weeks o r more of rural practice. The authors believe that the historic issues and recent trends militating against recruitment and retention of rur al physicians will continue unchecked without. comprehensive and susta ined approaches such as Alberta's Rural Physician Action Plan.