Defining rurality: a General Practice Rurality Index for Canada

Table 1. A proposed General Practice Rurality Index (GPRI)
Sum the points for each of the following that apply (maximum 100 points). Refer to Table 2 for definitions.
Remoteness from closest advanced referral centre
Distance (in kilometres) ÷ 50
Remoteness from closest basic referral centre (or advanced referral centre if closer)
Distance (in kilometres) ÷ 25
Drawing population
20 ­ (drawing population ÷ 2000)
If negative, score = 0
Number of general practitioners
20 ÷ no. of FTE* GPs with main place of business within 25 km of the centre of the community
Number of specialists
If no specialists with main place of business within 25 km of the centre of the community, score = 10
Otherwise, score = 6 ÷ no. of specialists
Presence of an acute care hospital
If no acute care hospital with inpatient beds within 25 km of the centre of the community, score = 0
Otherwise, score = 10 ­ (no. of specialists)
If negative, score = 0
*FTE = full-time equivalent.


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