The worldwide shortage of rural family doctors contributes directly to the
difficulties with providing adequate medical care in rural and remote areas in
both developed and less developed countries. WONCA believes there is an
urgent need to implement strategies to improve rural health services around the
world. This will require sufficient numbers of skilled rural family doctors
to provide the necessary services. In order to achieve this goal, WONCA
recommends:
1. Increasing the number of medical students recruited from rural areas.
2 Substantial exposure to rural practice in the medical undergraduate
curriculum.
3. Specific flexible, integrated and coordinated rural practice
vocational training programs.
4. Specific tailored continuing education and professional development
programs which meet the identified needs of rural family physicians.
5. Appropriate academic positions, professional development and financial
support for rural doctor-teachers to encourage rural research and education.
6. Medical schools should take responsibility to educate appropriately
skilled doctors to meet the needs of their general geographic region including
underserved areas and should play a key role in providing regional support for
health professionals and accessible tertiary health care.
7. Development of appropriate needs based and culturally sensitive rural
health care resources with local community involvement, regional
cooperation and government support.
8. Improved professional and personal/family conditions in rural practice to
promote retention of rural doctors.
9. Development and implementation of national rural health strategies with
central government support.