More than 20 students from the Launceston Clinical School participated in a two-day workshop run by not-for-profit rural workforce agency Health Recruitment Plus, swapping their stethoscopes for calculators as they learned about contracting, human resources and information technology.

Participant Lori Coulson, 21, said the workshop touched on aspects of being a doctor that she didn't learn at university.

"We learn about the medical side at university but we don't know about the business side, so this is really helpful for those of us who are considering general practice," Ms Coulson said.

"It takes the anxiety out of making the decision, because we know what to expect."

Event organiser Amelia Holloway said the workshop gave students insight into how to run a successful business, in the hope they would consider rural general practice after graduating.

She said this was important in Tasmania, where it could be difficult to attract and retain rural GPs.The workshop continues today, with volunteers from Ambulance Tasmania running an emergency skills session with teaching dummies and resuscitation equipment.