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Rural visit lays foundation for enhanced GP training


Matt Woodley


3/04/2023 4:56:36 PM

RACGP representatives have strengthened ties with rural training stakeholders during a recent trip to Broken Hill.

RACGP members in Broken Hill
RACGP NSW&ACT Deputy Chair Rebecca Hoffman with members and rural health stakeholders at a Broken Hill meet-up. (Image: Supplied)

New approaches aimed at supporting GPs to train in rural and remote parts of western NSW have been identified in a three-day visit to Broken Hill by RACGP representatives.
 
The 28–30 March trip involved meetings with training and stakeholder organisations, as well as visits to local training facilities, including the Far West Regional Training Hub of the Broken Hill University Department of Rural Health (BHUDRH) and the Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS).
 
Dr Karin Jodlowski-Tan, National Deputy Director of Training – Rural Pathways, spearheaded the initiative and told newsGP it highlighted the potential advantages profession-led training will have for border towns like Broken Hill.
 
‘Being a nationally based training organisation … we can enable training flexibility across multiple state borders to deliver end-to-end training effectively,’ she said.
 
Dr Jodlowski-Tan said the visit had been an opportunity to deepen the relationship between the RACGP, the RFDS, local general practices, and the BHUDRH.
 
‘As the largest regional centre in western NSW for rural medicine and the home to a key Royal Flying Doctors Service base, Broken Hill plays an important role in keeping people in rural New South Wales safe and healthy,’ she said.
 
‘Visiting Broken Hill at the invitation of the Broken Hill University Department of Rural Health provided an opportunity to understand the opportunities for rural medical workforce training pathways to support the delivery of healthcare to rural and regional communities.
 
‘The collaboration with the BHUDRH will enable us to provide more locally based peer and near-peer learning opportunities for GP registrars and procedural skills workshops for local GPs.’
 
Closer collaboration with local training is important, Dr Jodlowski-Tan said, as people are significantly more likely to put down roots and stay in rural communities when they have trained in regional areas.
 
‘Rural training leads to rural GPs, who are essential to the health and wellbeing of their communities,’ she said.
 
‘This visit has laid the groundwork for continuing collaboration … and we hope to build on that in future.
 
‘The collaborative effort to solve a long-term workforce issue is locally led and the college is keen to support them where possible with advocacy through our Rural Faculty, and through training support where it is appropriate.’
 
In addition to meeting with local training organisations, Dr Jodlowski-Tan co-hosted a meet-up for RACGP members and rural health stakeholders with NSW and ACT Deputy Chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman, who was in town working with the RFDS.
 
The visit was also an opportunity to expand opportunities for Rural Generalist GP training.
 
Launched in July 2022, the RACGP’s Rural Generalist (RG) Fellowship is designed to equip GPs with additional skills that rural and remote communities most need, including emergency medicine, obstetrics, mental health and palliative care.
 
Doctors training to become specialist GPs can complete an RG Fellowship alongside their GP vocational training, and Fellowship is also available to practising GPs.
 
RACGP Rural Chair Associate Professor Michael Clements said the college is committed to working with rural health organisations to ensure access to general practice care.
 
‘As a rural GP myself, I know what draws GPs to go rural – it’s a rich and rewarding career, with endless possibilities,’ he said.
 
‘You become a valued part of your community, and really get to know your patients.
 
‘The scope in rural practice is also truly unique. No one day is the same, you might have to attend to an emergency, a birth, and then support someone with mental health concerns or a chronic condition.’
 
Dr Clements said increasing the number of highly trained GPs in rural and remote communities is a ‘key priority’ for the RACGP.
 
‘We’re committed to offering training that meets the changing workforce needs in Australia’s rural and remote communities,’ he said.
 
‘Our Rural Generalist Fellowship and additional rural skills training pathway is central to achieving this.’
 
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