Australian rural high school students' interest in health careers: implications for our future workforce?

Abstract

We read with interest the recent article concerning Australian medical workforce issues. Brooks et al comment on feminisation, lifestyle changes, increased community demand and globalisation as major issues for the future medical workforce. Here, we present data from recent rural high school health career promotion activities, describing student interest in health careers. These data further support this trend in feminisation. Promotion of health careers in high schools is a core long-term rural workforce strategy in Australia. It is justified, as rural origin is an important predictor of medical graduates pursuing a rural health career.