A profile of rural surgeons in Australia

OBJECTIVES: To develop a profile of rural surgeons for comparison with profiles of rural general practitioners in the light of shortages in the rural medical workforce. DESIGN: Rural surgeons were surveyed by a postal questionnaire in November 1997. PARTICIPANTS: Members of the Provincial Surgeons of Australia residing in towns with fewer than 50,000 inhabitants. RESULTS: 239 questionnaires were sent and 137 surgeons replied, a response rate of 59%. Our survey showed that rural surgeons are predominantly male, middle-aged and married. They work long hours, and nominate as their major concerns difficulty in finding locum cover, continual on-call work, peer isolation, children's schooling, and lack of privacy. CONCLUSION: Rural surgeons and general practitioners share similar characteristics and concerns.