Evaluation of Support for Rural Specialists in Australia (SRSA)
Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges (CPMC)2026
BRIEF
Over a third of Australia’s population lives in regional and rural areas, yet fewer than one-sixth of non-GP specialists practise there. Rural specialists face challenges that can contribute to their movement towards urban centres, including professional isolation and limited opportunities for continuing professional development (CPD).
SRSA is a grant program that funds CPD activities for regional and rural specialists. The program is funded by the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care and managed the Council of Presents of Medical Colleges (CPMC).
APPROACH
NSF Consulting was commissioned to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the SRSA program for 2022-2025 to explore how well SRSA is reaching its intended target population, the appropriateness of the current program design, program efficiency, effectiveness and impact. Key evaluation activities included development of a Program Logic Model, Evaluation Framework, document and program data review and consultation.
There were 211 people who provide input into this evaluation, including 117 online survey of successful applicants, in-depth interviews with 20 applicants (14 successful, 6 unsuccessful applicants), in-depth interviews with 7 internal stakeholders and 7 external stakeholders. Qualitative and quantitative findings were combined, analysed and synthesised under key focus areas, and an evaluation report was prepared that included strategic recommendations.