Factors associated with James Cook University medical students experiencing âhigh qualityâ clinical learning on final-year rural placement

The study findings suggest the key to JCU medical students having 'high quality' clinical learning on rural placements is by developing supportive learning relationships with senior, permanently based rural doctors who are willing to teach and know their scope of practice and specific placement learning requirements; and experiencing a diverse roster across hospital, GP and outreach clinics but with significant placement time in the ED. Potentially, these findings may assist rural placement programs coordinators to better plan, develop and support training sites and thus improve future placement experiences for student and junior doctor trainees. These improved learning experiences may in turn lead to more positive rural experiences that may further increase trainees' interest in rural and/or generalist medicine careers.