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Discovering a life-long passion


Morgan Liotta


8/03/2019 3:30:58 PM

Dr Prue Plowright unearthed a passion for Aboriginal health during her general practice training, sparking a satisfying career journey.

Dr Plowright is passionate about boosting access to quality healthcare in rural and remote locations.
Dr Plowright is passionate about boosting access to quality healthcare in rural and remote locations.

Dr Prue Plowright, who grew up on a sheep farm in country Victoria, knew she was always destined to return to rural living – but even she was surprised by where her career ended up taking her.
 
‘I probably didn’t expect to end up somewhere quite as remote as Derby in the Kimberley,’ she told newsGP. ‘But now I can’t imagine living anywhere else.’
 
Dr Plowright’s career journey began at medical school in Melbourne. While there, she did some work experience with a GP who took her out to an Aboriginal community, an encounter that cemented her fate.
 
‘That experience sparked my passion for working in Aboriginal health, and choosing to specialise in general practice was the obvious path towards making this passion become a reality,’ she said.
 
Inspired by this stint in an Aboriginal community, Dr Plowright moved to Western Australia after completing medical school and was offered a placement through the Prevocational General Practice Placements Program (now known as the Community Residency Program) in the Kimberley.
 
‘I had such an awesome experience that I decided to return there to undertake my general practice registrar training,’ she said.
 
Dr Plowright found that working in Aboriginal health has more than met her expectations, and she is passionate about boosting access to quality healthcare in rural and remote locations.
 
‘I want my patients to have access to excellent primary healthcare, equal to those who choose to live in the big smoke,’ she said.
 
‘I’m part a great team of Aboriginal health workers, nurses, allied health professionals and doctors, and together we all work cohesively to provide the best service we can with the resources available to us.’ 
 
Dr Plowright is very comfortable with her part in the team as a GP, and is more than happy with her choice of career.
 
‘I love the continuity of care that general practice provides – being able to build strong and meaningful relationships with your patients that can last a lifetime,’ she said.
 
‘Being involved in a couple’s antenatal journey and then looking after their children as they grow up, feeling genuinely connected to your community and surroundings. 
 
‘General practice was also a lifestyle choice for me. I love having a perfect balance between my work, family and friends and my favourite hobbies – camping and racing at our local speedway.’
 
Dr Plowright has also found the combination of factors offered by general practice provides a high level of professional satisfaction and engagement.
 
‘General practice is both challenging and satisfying at the same time,’ she said.
 
‘I can honestly say that I love my job and feel that what I do each day has a positive impact on my patients.’



Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health Australian General Practice Training program become a GP


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