Studies show that in the US, 65% of rural medical care centers lack adequate numbers of health professionals, with the distribution of physicians favoring urban areas. While rural areas often struggle when it comes to recruiting and retaining medical care providers, they also tend to be compromised of those who tend to be in poorer health, have lower incomes, and are older. There have been plenty of attempts by the federal and state governments to address these shortages but they continue to persist.
More often than not, physician recruiters will face challenges while looking for candidates to work in a small town setting. It is imperative to highlight the advantages of working in this environment when marketing the opportunity and when speaking to potential candidates.
Better Quality of Life
Rural communities offer an alternative lifestyle and opportunities. Small towns offer affordable housing, good schools, low crime rates and a rural atmosphere. Those who choose to live in them may have access to immense amounts of land, mountains, coastlines, and lakes. These areas also offer to many outdoor recreational activities such as camping, hiking, bicycling, and hunting. There are plenty of physicians who like these types of scenarios, the key is to market these unique aspects appropriately.
Expanded Learning Experience and Opportunity
Physicians in rural areas often receive patients they might not normally come across in medical school or previous employment. They get to see a broader scope of illnesses and in turn, get to provide a wider variety of services that might be passed off to a specialist if they were practicing in an urban area. Working in a rural setting means that physicians have to be proactive in doing many aspects of medicine themselves, whether it be minor surgery or minor injuries work. This allows them to have greater clinical responsibility helping them to grow professionally. These doctors have the opportunity to develop new services for patients to provide as much care as possible in-house. In a larger city, there tends to not be a chance to be involved in the same way.
Part of the Community
The small town atmosphere offers a personal connection between physicians and their patients because of the intimate, quaint setting. Because of the smaller patient population, health care providers can take the time to become familiar with their patent’s medical as well as personal needs, fulfilling the traditional role of the primary care physician. Being a part of the community means physicians may see their patients outside of work providing an opportunity to speak to them as friends. In a rural setting, physicians get to see people right from birth, as they grow up and all the generations of their family which can be very rewarding.
There are normally other benefits more specific to a certain hospital or healthcare organization that should be incorporated into any jobs listings or recruitment materials. Rural health services would suffer without the help of qualified medical professionals, which is something no doctor wants.