Introduction: Resolving the problems of physician program has definitely a positive impact on retention of physicians in rural areas and also their job satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the problems of family physicians working in rural health centers of Razavi Khorasan province, Iran.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study performed in July and August 2014, a questionnaire containing questions about demographic characteristics, most prominent educational problems, personnel, facility or drug deficiencies, relationship with patients and the health network policies was given to family physicians working in rural health centers of Razavi Khorasan province.
Results: Of 50 questionnaires sent, 20 physicians responded (response rate: 40%). Mean ± SD age of respondents was 28.0 ± 2.1 years and mean ± SD of their work experience was 36 ± 14.3 months. Most of the physicians were women (75%). The most emphasized educational problem was “educational failure of medical schools in family physician training” (45%), that between this problem and gender there was a near to significant association (P = 0.06). About personnel problems, “lack of ability in health workers to perform their duties” and “insufficient number of employees in health center” posed by 45% of physicians. Seventy-five percent of physicians complained from “non-emergency visits of patients in inappropriate times”. The most prevalent problem about health network policies was “low salary” posed by 50% of physicians. Seventy percent of physicians stated that they decided not to stay in rural health centers after their contract finished.
Conclusion: Family physicians problems must be identified to help the higher authorities solving them and increasing retention of physicians in rural health centers.
Mardani, A., & Sardar, A. (2014). Investigation of Family Physicians’ Problems in Rural Health Centers of Razavi Khorasan Province: a Pilot Study. Journal of Mashhad Medical Council, 18(1), 17-20. doi: 10.22038/jmmc.2014.3954
MLA
Armin Mardani; Akram Sardar. "Investigation of Family Physicians’ Problems in Rural Health Centers of Razavi Khorasan Province: a Pilot Study", Journal of Mashhad Medical Council, 18, 1, 2014, 17-20. doi: 10.22038/jmmc.2014.3954
HARVARD
Mardani, A., Sardar, A. (2014). 'Investigation of Family Physicians’ Problems in Rural Health Centers of Razavi Khorasan Province: a Pilot Study', Journal of Mashhad Medical Council, 18(1), pp. 17-20. doi: 10.22038/jmmc.2014.3954
VANCOUVER
Mardani, A., Sardar, A. Investigation of Family Physicians’ Problems in Rural Health Centers of Razavi Khorasan Province: a Pilot Study. Journal of Mashhad Medical Council, 2014; 18(1): 17-20. doi: 10.22038/jmmc.2014.3954
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