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.
