Table 1 Topics included in the interviews and focus group sessions

A. Career choice aspects

 1. Reasons underlying career choice

 2. Solidarity (altruism) influence

 3. Family influence

 4. Role of rural origin

B. Future job expectations

 1. Large and small health facilities

 2. Professional development opportunities

 3. Salary and other financial reasons

C. Motivations to work in a rural area

 1. Solidarity feelings

 2. Reciprocity principle (paying back for public investment in training)

 3. Equity lens (willingness to work for poorest segments of the population)

D. Incentives to work in a rural area

 1. Financial

 2. Professional development

 3. Family welfare

 4. ICT and road infrastructure to break rural isolation

 5. Infrastructure and equipment of health facility