This paper addresses the shortage of physicians providing medical services to rural communities in Queensland, Australia. Queensland is the fastest growing Australian state, but it has the lowest ratio of total doctors to population. Data indicate there may be twice as many patients per rural doctor compared with the city, which represents a considerable gap in equity and access for the rural sector. Recently, there have been efforts to address physician shortages in rural areas, including the development of rural medical training programs and the establishment of posts to increase training opportunities for rural practitioners. However, the problems associated with retention of rural physicians have not been adequately addressed. Factors affecting retention of rural physicians include professional factors, social and other variables affecting the physician's family, and community influences. Research on retention of physicians in rural areas should focus on such areas as maintaining the professional interest of physicians in rural practice, the importance of an appropriate workload, employment opportunities for spouses, availability of quality education for physician's children, the effect of petty jealousy toward the physician's income and status, availability of quality housing, proper time-off from work, and the influence of community attitudes toward its health needs. Contains 29 references. (LP)