Site Development Manual: Chapter 11

Exhibit 11-2: FACTORS FOR MATCHING CANDIDATE WITH COMMUNITIES

Personal Factors:

• age, gender, background
• preferred community size
• rural/urban origin and exposure
• proximity to family, friends, relatives
• family needs - spousal employment and community acceptance, housing, religious affiliations, shopping facilities, transportation, safe low crime rate, quality of local school systems, part-time employment opportunities for teens, population demographics
• educational program/training - continuing education and professional development, teaching opportunities

Professional Factors:

• practice challenges - meet health care problems, plan health programs
• income and benefits - income, liability insurance, start-up costs
• practice conditions - range of services, involvement in decision making, autonomy, competition, workload, patient volume, vacation time
• professional support - access to referral facilities, adequate coverage and backup, access to other primary care practitioners, technology, telecommunications
• professional development opportunities - continuing education, teaching

Community Factors:

• housing - size, cost, interest rates, property
• geography
• population demographics
• recreational activities
• transportation
• climate
• safety

Adapted with permission from the CENTER FOR RESEARCH IN AMBULATORY HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION. Original publication: Physician Recruitment and Retention: A Guide for Rural Medical Group Practice, pp. 37-41.