Recruitment of medical practitioners to rural areas: a practical approach from the coalface.

The successful recruitment of medical staff to country areas is a difficult process. Thispaper outlines strategies designed to increase the probability of a successful recruitmentprogram. Strategies include determining if the position is truly required, designingan advertising campaign that reaches the target audience and addressing thesignificant regional and medical factors influencing the attractiveness of positions.Other areas discussed include the role of local hospitals, factors unique to individualmedical practitioners, contracts and two possible long-term solutions ? familiarisingmedical students with rural practice and recruiting overseas doctors.