Moores D: Alberta's Rural Physician Action Plan: an integrated approach to education, recruitment and retention

THIS PAPER DESCRIBES THE DEVELOPMENT and characteristics of a comprehensive, inte-grated and sustained program for the education, recruitment and retention of physi-cians for rural practice in Alberta — the Rural Physician Action Plan. The participa-tion of key stakeholders (including government, the provincial medical association, the licensing authority, faculties of medicine, practising rural physicians and re-gional health authorities) and a sustained program budget have been key organiza-tional issues for success. Critical to the effectiveness of this program has been the focus on professional and lifestyle issues targeting 3 distinct groups: physicians in training, physicians in practice, and rural communities and health authorities. Sub-stantial program funding since 1991–92 of up to $3 million per year has increased rural-based activities significantly. For example, 87 % of medical students and 91% of residents in family medicine in Alberta now experience 4 weeks or more of rural practice. The authors believe that the historic issues and recent trends militating against recruitment and retention of rural physicians will continue unchecked with