Developing an educational research framework for evaluating rural training of health professionals: a case for innovation.

Background: World-wide, rural clinical training of undergraduate medical students is looking to transform learning experiences, calling for the adoption of innovative approaches that create spaces for curriculum renewal and new ways of thinking. In order for these teaching models to gain acceptance and credibility among the relevant academic communities, it is critical that they be studied and evaluated.

Aim: This article describes an innovative rural education intervention and a concomitant, intentional process that was adopted to establish a research framework within which the intervention will be evaluated.

Methods: Key role-players participated in a one-day workshop aimed at developing the framework. A collaborative, structured process that moved through three phases of deliberation and reflection was followed.

Results: The documentation and raw data generated during the workshop was used to generate the framework that will serve as a blueprint for ensuring the study and evaluation of the educational innovation.

Conclusion: Establishing an educational research framework, by adopting a consultative and collaborative process, provides a vehicle for encouraging a culture of critical accountability that seeks to discern evidence of good practice in the training of health care workers in a rural context.