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Vision

News editors are dismayed. For years rural health has been a good news story. Gone are the headlines screaming doctor shortages, shameful Aboriginal health statistics and the hopelessness of rural youth. Rural communities are now much healthier than urban communities. Comprehensive health services are readily available and diverse community organisations are actively involved in promoting healthy environments and lifestyles. Small wonder that the few vacancies for rural health professionals are highly sought after. One farming community recently had ten applications for a single locum and the best nursing students compete for the prestigious regional graduate programs. Interviews with the applicants highlighted the supportive management, innovative service delivery, opportunities for professional advancement and the use of evidence based health practice, as reasons for wanting to move to the country.

Of course, urban residents are not likely to obtain a position. For decades, health courses have been the most popular choice among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students from rural areas. As a consequence, universities have transferred their core infrastructure to the country, permitting local study and work practice. Since experience in rural health is a prerequisite for sought-after rural employment, urban families are moving to country towns to ensure children have an opportunity for a health career. The Commonwealth Department of Health has recently instituted University Departments of Urban Health to redress the brain drain to the country of the nation's best and brightest health professionals.