Students from rural areas will not have to compete directly with their urban counterparts for a medical school place under changes being considered by a number of universities.
From next year, the University of Queensland will set up a rural entry quota of 25% for its medical school, meaning rural hopefuls will only have to compete among themselves for a placement.
The aim is to enrol more students who are likely to practice in areas of workforce shortage when they graduate, who might previously have been disadvantaged from getting a spot in medical school.
But there are concerns about it distorting the merit-based awarding of placements.
Professor David Wilkinson, head of the University’s School of Medicine told Australian Doctor: "For next year's recruitment, students...
The content on this site is available to Australian Registered Health Practitioners only. Please login or register for access.