Rural doctors identify a series of key attractions of rural practice. First is
the greater variety of practice that often includes obstetrics, surgery,
anaesthetics and emergency medicine together with hospital access and care of
the acutely ill. Rural practitioners are much more likely to be looking after
individual patients for all of their medical problems on a continuing basis and
to be caring for other family members. Thus comprehensive and continuing care
are frequent realities in the country.
For many rural doctors the second great attraction of rural practice is the
country environment and lifestyle which is associated with a better family life
in a good place to raise children particularly in developed countries. Social
satisfactions of rural practice identified by rural doctors include community
standing and respect, coupled with a sense of belonging to a stable community,
and enjoyment of outdoor living with many recreational opportunities. In
short, rural practice can offer considerable professional rewards and
satisfactions coupled with the attractions of significant social status away
from the difficulties of city living.