ished culture of learning is a fertile environment for developing research activity. This study documents that the pathway to becoming an academic rural general practice is a complex process, which requires many years of deliberate development. This development is best driven by a strategic vision of the practice shared by the key stakeholders such as practice owners, the permanent practitioners and the senior practice management staff. It is considered that the proposed framework will provide guidance to practices exploring one or more steps in the transition towards a full rural academic practice. It will also provide guidance for educational institutions and funding bodies wishing to support educational and research activity in rural general practices.
The authors acknowledge General Practice Education and Training for funding for this project and the five rural general practices that participated. The authors thank Associate Professor Elmer Villanueva for his contribution to the conception of the project.
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