Rural pipeline and willingness to work in rural areas: Mixed method study on students in midwifery and obstetric nursing in Mali

Abstract

The availability and retention of healthcare professionals in rural areas and remote areas is a challenge to the health sector worldwide. Attracting people who are most likely to be interested in rural practice can be conducive to the sustainable availability of health services in rural areas where health facilities are typically understaffed and existing professionals often underqualified. This article aims to contribute to the rural pipeline evidence, and reports on the findings of a study that investigated the career choices of midwifery and obstetric nurse students in Mali. The article enquires into the relationship between their intention to practice in rural areas and the different components of the rural pipeline. A mixed method study using a survey, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis was conducted from October to December 2017 on third-year midwifery and obstetric nurse students and school-managers. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis were performed for quantitative data, and content analysis was carried out for the qualitative data. Key findings suggest that students prefer urban locations for living and for work. The intention to work in rural areas seems to be influenced by the current living situation (currently living in a rural area) or having attended secondary school or professional training in rural areas.

Pipeline Programs Can Support Reforms in Medical Education: A Cohort Study of Alabama's Rural Health Leaders Pipeline to Engage Community Leaders

“… 11 Also, longitudinal observations of pipeline participants’ performance and character create opportunity to assess their ability to succeed in advanced health professional education aside from use of standardized tests. 16 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 This alternative assessment could offset an unintentional exclusion of capable rural, minority, and nontraditional students that is linked to such tests. 33 These local reforms could be evaluated based on their effects on the health of targeted underserved rural populations.…”

“…15 Pipeline programs have reported success with outcomes including attitudes, intentions, admission, performance, specialty choice, and practice location. 16 Those evaluations took institutional perspectives that may not resonate with local community leaders. It is important that programs demonstrate and articulate the value of medical education reforms that construct pipeline programs in ways that engage these leaders and their influence in political processes.…”

Job Performance of Medical Graduates with Compulsory Services in Underserved Rural Areas in China: A Cohort Study

“…This study tried to evaluate the job performance of medical graduates trained by CSP, while most existing studies focused on attraction and retention [20,[41][42][43][44]. We found that CSP graduates have demonstrated good job performance in primary health settings in China.…”

A Journey Through Rural Community Radiography Practice in South-South Nigeria: Radiographers’ Perception, Willingness and Barriers

“…In Nigeria, there is acute shortage and inappropriate distribution of radiographers. The availability and retention of healthcare professionals in rural areas is a challenge to the health sector globally [1].…”

“…In Nigeria, there is acute shortage and inappropriate distribution of radiographers. The availability and retention of healthcare professionals in rural areas is a challenge to the health sector globally [1]. Radiographers, like other health professionals prefer to work in urban areas due to higher incomes, good career opportunities, good infrastructures and social amenities [2,3].…”