Gender-related factors in the recruitment of physicians to the rural Northwest.

BACKGROUND: This study examines differences in the factors female and male physicians considered influential in their rural practice location choice and describes the practice arrangements that successfully recruited female physicians to rural areas. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was based on a mailed survey of physicians successfully recruited between 1992 and 1999 to towns of 10,000 or less in six states in the Pacific Northwest. RESULTS: Responses from 77 men and 37 women (response rate 61%) indicated that women were more likely than men to have been influenced in making their practice choice by issues related to spouse or personal partner, flexible scheduling, family leave, availability of childcare, and the interpersonal aspects of recruitment. Commonly reported themes reflected the respondents' desire for flexibility regarding family issues and the value they placed on honesty during recruitment. CONCLUSIONS: It is very important in recruitment of both men and women to highlight the positive aspects of the community and to involve and assist the physician's spouse or partner. If they want to achieve a gender-balanced physician workforce, rural communities and practices recruiting physicians should place high priority on practice scheduling, spouse-partner, and interpersonal issues in the recruitment process.