A rural GP says training time in a rural practice should be made compulsory for medical trainees.
Dr Rex Yule says rural practice is an integral part of general practice in New Zealand.
Training in a rural practice is only optional for medical students at present. Dr Yule says that needs to change.
He says it is of huge value to trainee doctors to spend time in a rural practice because they get a wide range of experience and a lot of clinical responsibility.
GP educators are meeting in Wellington this weekend for a biennial education convention.
