Table 1 Case studies’ overview: aims and targeted strategic Framework elements

Recruit healthcare personnel to Storuman municipality

Improve recruitment and retention of GPs in three case municipalities

Stabilize the physician workforce in Nunavut

Recruit and retain specialized physicians in Akureyri Hospital

Improve recruitment and retention of rural multi-disciplinary teams

Plan

Assess population service needs

All municipalities evaluated their service model and ended up extending their number of GPs with one extra GP to reduce the workload.

Develop marketing strategies; friendly and informative RR communication processes and information packages; and identify appropriate and accessible education and support.

Align the service model with population needs

Development of the contract model for new physicians.

Develop a profile of target recruits

Inuit/northern physicians serving Inuit.

Recruit

Emphasize information sharing

Establishing an alumni register to send newsletters with job relevant information to people (approx. 2800) who might be interested in moving back to Storuman.

Development of a cultural orientation app for healthcare providers in Nunavut.

Information meetings with Icelandic medical students in Iceland, Hungary, and Slovakia, and with Icelandic specialists and specialists in training working in Sweden to introduce and promote the hospital.

Accessible user-friendly marketing outlets promoting rural vacancies.

Development of an effective template including information on recruit profile, work area, work colleagues, and what rural and remote working in the area is like.

Community engagement

Establishing a relocation coordination officer in Storuman municipality.

Including a member from the community council in the project group.

Co-designing community information for candidates.

Supporting spouses/families

Development of a couple recruitment strategy.

Meeting with potential recruits and their families with a member from the municipality to inform of opportunities.

Develop and implement a buddy support system and educational support package.

Retain

Supporting team cohesion

Team approach to developing vacancy adverts.

Ensure relevant professional development

Establishment of a programme with salaried educational positions for GPs to specialize in family medicine (ALIS-Vest/ALIS-Nord).

Continuing Education and Professional Development (CEPD) events for physicians.

Development of a tailored education programme for new recruits. Some physicians got 3 months extended educational leave to auscultate and do research work.

Piloting of ebook to aid access to evidence based practice.

Development of new Multi-Professional Rural Practitioners Programme and Qualification Pathway.

Training future professionals

Developing a rural education stream as part of the medical school curriculum at Umeå University.

Health careers promotion camp for high school students from around Nunavut.

Work to get accreditation from the Royal College of Physicians to allow Akureyri Hospital to educate specialist in internal medicine and anaesthesia.

Multi-professional partnership package promoting joint training across professions.