Are Australian rural clinical school students' career choices influenced by perceived opinions of primary care? Evidence from the national Federation of Rural Australian Medical Educators survey.

Rural clinical school students perceive negative opinions of primary care, particularly among peers and junior/hospital doctors. Students aiming to work in small towns after graduation are more likely to report negative opinions among their peers, suggesting they may be more attuned to negative attitudes. This points to the need for a community of practice of like-minded peers and clinicians to preserve the career interest of these students.