Value and service match of advanced training skills among rural general practitioners: a qualitative Australian study
Mason, Hannah M., Seidu, Abdul Aziz, Albert, Francis, Anderson, Emma M., Alele, Faith O., McArthur, Lawrie, Hollins, Aaron, Heggarty, Paula, Sen Gupta, Tarun, Hays, Richard, and Malau-Aduli, Bunmi S. (2025) Value and service match of advanced training skills among rural general practitioners: a qualitative Australian study. BMJ Open, 15 (3). e089890.
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Abstract
Introduction Advanced skills training (AST) is a requirement for rural generalist training in Australia. This study explored the lived experience of general practitioners who have undertaken AST to better appreciate its value and fitness for purpose. Methods Thirteen participants were recruited via convenience sampling. A descriptive phenomenological study design was employed. Semistructured interviews were conducted and thematically analysed to identify patterns in the data. Results Participants identified the professional value of AST, describing improved clinical competence, clinical courage, development of professional networks, work satisfaction and recognition. AST enabled better provision and continuity of care to rural communities. Potential service mismatches between AST specialty selection and perceived community needs are a current challenge. Conclusion Recommendations include refining the programme selection process, increasing programme flexibility and developing clearer guidelines to navigate training pathways. Future research should explore the value of AST from community perspectives to inform tailored approaches.
| Item ID: | 88223 |
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| Item Type: | Article (Research - C1) |
| ISSN: | 2044-6055 |
| Keywords: | Health Services, Health Workforce, MEDICAL EDUCATION & TRAINING, QUALITATIVE RESEARCH, Quality in health care |
| Copyright Information: | © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2025. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ Group. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ This is an open access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited, appropriate credit is given, any changes made indicated, and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/. |
| Date Deposited: | 01 Apr 2026 23:53 |
| FoR Codes: | 42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4203 Health services and systems > 420321 Rural and remote health services @ 100% |
| SEO Codes: | 20 HEALTH > 2005 Specific population health (excl. Indigenous health) > 200508 Rural and remote area health @ 100% |
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