Working among the rural communities in Ghana - why doctors choose to engage in rural practice
Abstract Background An unequal distribution of health personnel, leading to unfavourable differences in health status between urban and rural populations, is a serious cause for concern globally. Part of the solution to this problem lies in attracting medical doctors to rural, remote communities, wh...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2018-06-01
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| Series: | BMC Medical Education |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12909-018-1234-y |
| _version_ | 1818838893200408576 |
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| author | Anthony Amalba Francis A. Abantanga Albert J. J. A. Scherpbier W. N. K. A. van Mook |
| author_facet | Anthony Amalba Francis A. Abantanga Albert J. J. A. Scherpbier W. N. K. A. van Mook |
| author_sort | Anthony Amalba |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background An unequal distribution of health personnel, leading to unfavourable differences in health status between urban and rural populations, is a serious cause for concern globally. Part of the solution to this problem lies in attracting medical doctors to rural, remote communities, which presents a real challenge. The present study therefore explored the factors that influence medical doctors’ decision to practise in rural Ghana. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study based on questionnaires. Participants were doctors working in health facilities in the districts and rural areas of the Northern Region, Ghana. The qualitative data analysis consisted of an iterative process of open, axial and selective coding. Results We administered the questionnaires to 40 doctors, 27 of whom completed and returned the form, signalling a response rate of 67.5%. The majority of the doctors were male (88.9%) and had been trained at the University for Development Studies, School of Medicine and Health Sciences (UDS-SMHS) (63%). Although they had chosen to work in the remote areas, they identified a number of factors that could prevent future doctors from accepting rural postings, such as: a lack of social amenities, financial and material resources; limited career progression opportunities; and too little emphasis on rural practice in medical school curricula. Moreover, respondents flagged specific stakeholders who, in their opinion, had a major role to play in the attraction of doctors and in convincing them to work in remote areas. Conclusions The medical doctors we surveyed had gravitated to the rural areas themselves for the opportunity to acquire clinical skills and gain experience and professional independence. Nevertheless, they felt that in order to attract such cadre of health professionals to rural areas and retain them there, specific challenges needed addressing. For instance, they called for an enforceable, national policy on rural postings, demanding strong political commitment and leadership. Another recommendation flowing from the study findings is to extend the introduction of Community-Based Education and Service (COBES) or similar curriculum components to other medical schools in order to prepare students for rural practice, increasing the likelihood of them accepting rural postings. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T03:45:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f7a8d7f28868400c80ea1ed94fadf59a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6920 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T03:45:38Z |
| publishDate | 2018-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medical Education |
| spelling | doaj.art-f7a8d7f28868400c80ea1ed94fadf59a2022-12-21T20:37:08ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202018-06-011811910.1186/s12909-018-1234-yWorking among the rural communities in Ghana - why doctors choose to engage in rural practiceAnthony Amalba0Francis A. Abantanga1Albert J. J. A. Scherpbier2W. N. K. A. van Mook3Department of Health Professions Education and Innovative Learning, School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS), University for Development Studies (UDS)Department of Health Professions Education and Innovative Learning, School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS), University for Development Studies (UDS)Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, School of Health Professions Education, Maastricht UniversityFaculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, School of Health Professions Education, Maastricht UniversityAbstract Background An unequal distribution of health personnel, leading to unfavourable differences in health status between urban and rural populations, is a serious cause for concern globally. Part of the solution to this problem lies in attracting medical doctors to rural, remote communities, which presents a real challenge. The present study therefore explored the factors that influence medical doctors’ decision to practise in rural Ghana. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study based on questionnaires. Participants were doctors working in health facilities in the districts and rural areas of the Northern Region, Ghana. The qualitative data analysis consisted of an iterative process of open, axial and selective coding. Results We administered the questionnaires to 40 doctors, 27 of whom completed and returned the form, signalling a response rate of 67.5%. The majority of the doctors were male (88.9%) and had been trained at the University for Development Studies, School of Medicine and Health Sciences (UDS-SMHS) (63%). Although they had chosen to work in the remote areas, they identified a number of factors that could prevent future doctors from accepting rural postings, such as: a lack of social amenities, financial and material resources; limited career progression opportunities; and too little emphasis on rural practice in medical school curricula. Moreover, respondents flagged specific stakeholders who, in their opinion, had a major role to play in the attraction of doctors and in convincing them to work in remote areas. Conclusions The medical doctors we surveyed had gravitated to the rural areas themselves for the opportunity to acquire clinical skills and gain experience and professional independence. Nevertheless, they felt that in order to attract such cadre of health professionals to rural areas and retain them there, specific challenges needed addressing. For instance, they called for an enforceable, national policy on rural postings, demanding strong political commitment and leadership. Another recommendation flowing from the study findings is to extend the introduction of Community-Based Education and Service (COBES) or similar curriculum components to other medical schools in order to prepare students for rural practice, increasing the likelihood of them accepting rural postings.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12909-018-1234-yCommunity-based educationMedical doctorsRural communityRural practice |
| spellingShingle | Anthony Amalba Francis A. Abantanga Albert J. J. A. Scherpbier W. N. K. A. van Mook Working among the rural communities in Ghana - why doctors choose to engage in rural practice BMC Medical Education Community-based education Medical doctors Rural community Rural practice |
| title | Working among the rural communities in Ghana - why doctors choose to engage in rural practice |
| title_full | Working among the rural communities in Ghana - why doctors choose to engage in rural practice |
| title_fullStr | Working among the rural communities in Ghana - why doctors choose to engage in rural practice |
| title_full_unstemmed | Working among the rural communities in Ghana - why doctors choose to engage in rural practice |
| title_short | Working among the rural communities in Ghana - why doctors choose to engage in rural practice |
| title_sort | working among the rural communities in ghana why doctors choose to engage in rural practice |
| topic | Community-based education Medical doctors Rural community Rural practice |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12909-018-1234-y |
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