Which interventions increase the recruitment and retention of health workers practising in under-served and rural areas?

Shortages of health workers in many geographic regions (especially in under-served and rural areas) challenge equitable healthcare delivery and pose an important obstacle to the achievement of the Millenium Development Goals.

Key messages

• There is limited empirical evidence supporting the value of interventions to improve the recruitment or retention of health workers in under-served areas
• Health professionals from rural backgrounds may be more likely to practise in rural areas
• Exposure to clinical rotations in rural settings may influence the subsequent intention of medical students to work in under-served areas
• Financial incentive programmes may increase the supply of health workers in under-served areas