Although the year is coming to a close, RACGP Rural has been busy continuing to advocate for the key issues that are currently affecting rural general practice. In late October, the Council met for our annual face-to-face meeting at WONCA. It is always a fantastic opportunity to get together and have robust discussions about the topics that are influencing rural general practice and align our policy and advocacy strategies for the following year. The hot topics of the face-to- face meeting included the current RG recognition process and the single-employer model.
RACGP and ACRRM’s joint application for Rural Generalist Medicine to be recognised as a specialised field within the discipline of general practice is now in the second and final stage. We encourage all rural GPs and stakeholders to participate in the AHPRA consultation; Should rural generalist medicine be recognised as a new field of specialty practice?.
In other RG news, we’re simplifying the process for FRACGP and FARGP holders to gain the RG Fellowship through recognition of prior learning and experience. Eligibility requirements have not changed, but we’re making it easier for you to be assessed as an RG based on the training and skills you already have. The reintroduction of the Small Town Rural GP ARST curriculum includes the recognition of additional skills in normal obstetrics, antenatal and postnatal care, mental health level 2 skills and patients with chronic diseases – palliative care, aged care and disabilities and special needs.
We’re also waiving the application fee for six months until 17 May 2024. If you've already been awarded your FRACGP-RG through a process of RPLE, you're eligible for one conference registration voucher for the 2024 Practice Owners National Conference or GP24 in recognition of your early support of the Rural Generalist Fellowship.
Visit the RACGP website to find out more, view the recent webinar recording and apply. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team at rg@racgp.org.au.
I recently had the privilege of attending the inaugural National Rural and Remote Health Awards in Canberra. It’s always a humbling and rewarding experience to have the opportunity to celebrate and recognise the hard work that our colleagues contribute to improving rural health outcomes and going above and beyond for their communities. On behalf of RACGP Rural, I would like to congratulate New South Wales South Coast GP and Rural Faculty member, Dr Corin Miller who was awarded the Rural Health Professional of the Year.
RACGP’s Health of the Nation report was also released this month. A notable outcome of the report revealed that GPs practising in rural areas report higher levels of job satisfaction. Working in a rural setting is incredibly rewarding and challenging.
Notably, the report explored the perceived barriers to GPs working in regional, rural, and remote practices. The top three reasons for choosing not to work outside MMM1 regions were compatibility with family (45%), social and professional isolation (39%), and perception that work/life balance would be worse (38%).
This year alone, we have advocated for; additional professional support to ensure our GPs working in rural and remote areas have personal and family support through innovative models, our opposition to the 10-year moratorium, advocacy for IMGs, our work on the payroll tax changes, our call for supporting rural general practice and recognising the RG title, just to name a few. We advocate for policy changes that support general practice through our recommendations in parliamentary inquiries, consultations, our meetings with politicians, and our presence on professional committees.
Email RACGP Rural or join the conversation in our Facebook group so we can continue to advocate for you on issues that matter.
A/Prof Michael Clements
Chair, RACGP Rural
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