Table 2 Definitions, inclusion criteria and differences of data items drawn from the UQMediCoS and MABEL datasets
From: Rural medical workforce pathways: exploring the importance of postgraduation rural training time
Factor | UQMediCoS | MABEL | Explanation (differences) |
|---|---|---|---|
University | University of Queensland | National (all Australian universities) | Aggregate of ~ 20 programmes vs one programme |
Cohort | Graduates 2002–2018 | Graduates 2000–2017 | Excludes < 2000 for MABEL |
Response year | 2019 (1–17 years postgraduation) | 2018 (1–18 years postgraduation) | Similar periods |
Exclusion | International students, those not practising | International students, those not practising | Same |
Rural background | 6 consecutive years rural or 10 aggregate years | At least 6 aggregate years rural | MABEL uses an approximation only of the policy definition |
MS rural time | 3 options: 0, 1 or 2 years | 3 options: < 12 weeks, 3–12 months; > 1 university year | Categories are similar, but not equivalent |
PG rural time | Continuous proportion (0–100% of prevocational period) | Discrete values: 0 to 10 years (across prevocational and vocational period) | As noted, relate to different career stages |
Career stage | Combined observed outcome for registrars and consultants | Outcome for consultants only | Differences largely due to rural P/G time definitions |
Rural bonded | Those awarded practise restricting scholarships or bonded places | Those subject to restrictions on where they practise | Similar, but not equivalent |
Gender | Male, female | Male, female | Same |
Age | At graduation <  > 28 +  | At graduation <  > 28 +  | Same |
Specialty | General practice, any other specialist | General practice, any other specialist | Similar (UQMediCoS includes registrars) |