Is rural medicine a separate discipline?

Background: The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine was established in 1997 to meet what rural doctors perceived as their unmet educational and professional needs. However, the issue of just how different rural practice is from urban practice remains a topic of debate. Methods: This paper explores the scope of rural medical practice, through the use of clinical scenarios and a synthesis of the research literature, to determine if rural medical practice is emerging as a distinct discipline in Australia. Conclusion: Rural and remote medical practice is different, and additional, to urban practice, in the context, content and process of care. Three of the four criteria for determining rural medical practice as a distinct discipline exist in Australia. The fourth criteria: sufficient external recognition of rural medicine as a distinct discipline, awaits resolution.