Reply to Comment on: Factors influencing doctor retention in Nepal and other developing countries

They have raised a number of important points which have to be addressed. The issue of doctors being unwilling and unable to serve in rural areas is a major one. While hard data is lacking, many primary health centers in rural areas lack doctors. Retaining doctors in rural areas remains a major challenge. I agree with the authors that doctors are more likely to remain in rural areas if they can stay with their families. The lack of appropriate housing, food, other facilities and inadequate schooling options for children could also be reasons preventing families from moving to rural areas. One possible solution is a general improvement of the facilities in rural areas; another is providing ‘special’ facilities for doctors, health workers and their families. I also agree with the authors that there is no strict definition of a rural area. A survey among nurses in Canada defined community characteristics, geographical location, health human and technical resources and characteristics of nursing practice as key factors determining rurality