Research update: A comparison of rural and speciality choices between UOW graduates and all other Australian graduates

We’re proud to share our new article in the Australian Journal of Rural Health, titled “A comparison of rural and regional work locations and speciality choices between graduates from the University of Wollongong and all Australian medical schools.” 

Drawing on data from the Medical Schools Outcomes Database (MSOD) linked to national registration records, we explored whether graduates from UOW’s rurally-focused program were more likely to work in regional or remote areas and to choose general practice as a speciality.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ajr.13077

Our findings were striking: UOW graduates were 51% more likely to work in MM 2–7 locations than their peers from other Australian medical schools, and 57% more likely to have specialised in general practice if they were 10 or more years post-graduation. These outcomes reflect the impact of UOW’s selection strategies and curriculum design, which prioritise rural origin and clinical training in rural communities. 

These findings reinforce the value of sustained, data-informed approaches to medical education that align with community needs. As longitudinal tracking tools like MSOD continue to evolve, we have a powerful opportunity to better understand how training environments, student backgrounds, and career stage influence rural workforce outcomes. We hope this work helps strengthen the case for ongoing investment in rural medical programs, and contributes to national conversations about equity, distribution, and sustainability in Australia’s health workforce.

Research update: An automated protocol for assessing career rurality outcomes

We’re pleased to share our recent publication in the Australian Journal of Rural Health, titled “An automated protocol for assessing career rurality outcomes of Australian health professionals using retrospective data.” 

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ajr.13053

In this study, we developed and tested a reproducible R-based workflow that links AHPRA registration records to Modified Monash (MM) classifications, enabling consistent tracking of University of Wollongong medical graduates (2010–2021) across their careers. Using this approach, we found that 25–30% of graduates were practising in MM2–7 rural and regional areas, with proportions remaining stable from postgraduate year 1 through year 12.

Our open-source method provides a scalable and low-cost alternative to traditional survey-based workforce tracking, using routinely available administrative data. The workflow can be adapted for other disciplines and institutions, offering a foundation for more consistent and comparable reporting of rural workforce outcomes across the health professions.

Moving forward, this protocol sets the stage for ongoing, real‑time evaluation of rural health workforce dynamics—supporting policy-makers, educators, and health planners in monitoring rural health professional distribution with greater accuracy and frequency. We hope our work sparks broader adoption of reproducible, registry-based analytics to inform targeted interventions, benchmark performance, and ultimately improve access to care across diverse Australian communities.  We hope it contributes to national efforts to address rural health inequities and makes it easier for programs to assess their impact over time.

Research update: Should we extend the currency of cognitive ability test scores?

 Very pleased our manuscript on the extended test currency of GAMSAT was published this week in the International Journal of Selection and Assessment. 

“Should we extend the currency of cognitive ability test scores? Considerations from construct, equity, and psychometric perspectives in medical selection.” 

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijsa.12453

In this paper, we examine whether scores from cognitive ability tests like the GAMSAT (Graduate Medical School Admissions Test) remain valid indicators of applicants’ abilities over several years. Using a range of psychometric analyses, we found that GAMSAT scores remain stable at the cohort level for up to five years, offering institutions confidence in their longer-term validity. That said, individual candidates—particularly those who prepare extensively—may still benefit from retaking the test within that extended window 

We also explore important equity and practical considerations. Extending score currency can reduce financial and scheduling burdens on applicants who struggle to retake the test each year. However, we caution that preparation effects may advantage some candidates and argue for test-provider transparency on how currency extensions interact with fairness. Ultimately, our work supports the potential for broadened score currency—if implemented alongside carefully designed admission policies that preserve fairness and clarity for both candidates and institutions.

 It was a pleasure to work with Neville Chiavarolli, Luc Le and Sean Pywell from ACER on this paper, and this work brought about the move to extend the currency of GAMSAT for all medical school applicants for graduate medicine in Australia.