This study evaluated the relative importance of job-, community-, and individual-related factors that contribute to job choice among physicians, physician assistants (PAs), and NPs, to inform policy options to recruit clinicians to rural areas.

A cross-sectional online survey of PA preceptors from three institutions in two states. Participants were asked to rate the importance of 16 job-, community-, and individual-related factors when choosing a job.

We received responses from 45 physicians, 74 PAs, and 15 NPs (24.2% response rate), who rated most job-, community-, and individual-related factors as important; ratings were similar across clinicians. PAs rated loan repayment programs and work hours higher than physicians, though the magnitude of the difference was small.

Clinicians similarly rated many factors as important. A better understanding of the tradeoffs clinicians are willing to make between these factors when making a job choice is critical to increase the attractiveness of rural positions.