Table 1.

Interview questions

1. When was the decision for rural practice made? a. At what point did you decide to practice in a rural area? Probes - Before medical school?If YES, what influenced your decision (shadowing experience, family, recreation, other)? Did you shadow a rural physician or urban physician? Family physician or specialist? What was your shadowing experience like? Describe in detail. - During medical school? If YES, what influenced your decision (rural rotations, longitudinal integrated clinical clerkship, other)? What was your first choice of residency program during the CaRMS match (rural family medicine, urban family medicine, specialty)? Were you matched to your first choice? If NOT, what happened? - During residency?If YES, how was the decision made? What influenced your decision (rural rotations, rural program, family, spouse, other) - After residency?If YES, how was the decision made? What influenced your decision (locums, job offer, family, spouse, other)? b. During medical school, did you have rural exposure experience? If YES, what type of rural exposure (mandatory, elective, integrated clinical clerkship (ICC), family medicine, specialty)? Where (location)? How long (months)? Quality of the rural experience (satisfaction)? Did this experience affect your decision to practice in a rural location? c. During residency training, did you have rural exposure experience? If YES, what type of rural exposure (mandatory, elective, remote)? Where (location)? How long (months)? Quality of the rural experience (satisfaction)? Did this experience affect your decision to practice in a rural location?

2. What factors influenced your decision to practice in a rural area? Probes - Age of children (if applicable)? Debt repayment options (medical school debt, educational loan)? Family considerations? Family of origin? Financial incentives? Recreational activities for children (dance, piano, skating, etc.)? Recreational activities for self or spouse? Rural lifestyle? Rural physician mentor/role model? Rural rotations during medical school? Rural rotations during residency? Schools for children (if applicable)? Scope of rural practice? Significant other/spousal influence? Other?

3. What were the key factors affecting your choice of rural practice location? Probes - How did your experience in the family medicine residency program affect your decision concerning practice location? .Did a particular experience change your mind about practicing in an urban location?. What professional, family and/or other factors affected your decision concerning practice location?