A framework for enhancing continuing medical education for rural physicians: A summary of the literature

Abstract

Background: Recruitment and retention of rural physicians is vital for rural health care. A key deterrent to rural practice has been identified as professional isolation and access to continuing medical education/continuing professional development (CME/CPD). Aims: The purpose of this article is to review and synthesize key themes from the literature related to CME/CPD and rural physicians to facilitate CME/CPD planning. Methods: A search of the peer-reviewed English language literature and a review of relevant grey literature (e.g., reports, conference proceedings) was conducted. Results: There is robust evidence demonstrating that the CME/CPD needs of rural physicians are unique. Promising practices in regional CME/CPD outreach and advanced procedural skills training and other up-skilling areas have been reported. Distance learning initiatives have been particularly helpful in increasing access to CME/CPD. The quality of evidence supporting the overall effect of these different strategies on recruitment and retention is variable. Conclusion: Supporting the professional careers of rural physicians requires the provision of integrated educational programs that focus on specific information and skills. Future research should examine the linkage between enhanced CME/CPD access and its effect on factors related to retention of physicians in rural communities. A proposed framework is described to aid in developing CME/CPD for rural practitioners.

Medication intensification in diabetes in rural primary care: a cluster-randomised effectiveness trial

“…11 Finding effective strategies to accomplish continuing professional development for physicians practising in remote locations is also an important objective. 31 In contrast, higher-intensity interventions in rural and community settings have shown promising results. [32][33][34][35][36] …”

Supervision, support and mentoring interventions for health practitioners in rural and remote contexts: an integrative review and thematic synthesis of the literature to identify mechanisms for successful outcomes

“…The need for more research to evaluate the effect of access to relevant continuing professional development (CPD) (as a form of support) on staff retention and, ultimately, rural health-care outcomes has been acknowledged [18] in particular by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The WHO’s policy of improving retention of rural health-care workers recommends that governments ‘design continuing education and professional development programmes that meet the needs of rural health workers and that are accessible from where they live and work, so as to support their retention’ [19].…”

Policy Innovation is Needed to Match Health Care Delivery Reform: The Story of the Champlain BASE eConsult Service

“…Reduced access to specialist care has been associated with a number of problems, such as lower health status, poor patient outcomes (Canadian Institute for Health Information 2012), and increased anxiety and stress (Berthelot and Sanmartin 2006). This problem is especially acute in rural or remote areas where many patients face costly and time-consuming trips of many hours to the nearest specialty clinic (Curran, Rourke, Snow 2010). Individuals living in these areas often lack access to the transportation or funds necessary to support travel expenses, and consequently must go without adequate health care (Hay, Varga-Toth, Hines 2006).…”