Importance of Doctor Roles in Rural and Remote Areas

In remote parts of Australia, access to healthcare is generally limited when compared to urban centres, and there are substantial gaps in service delivery and health outcomes. This is often a challenge for residents of rural and remote locations.

Doctors play significant roles in alleviating these challenges. They work closely with members of the local community to enhance their physical and mental well-being. They interact with the patients on a personal level so they are able to treat them as individuals, not just treat their symptoms.

The role of doctors

One of the downsides of inadequate access to good healthcare in rural areas is that the patients arrive in the hospital in a much sicker condition than those in urban centres. The medical facilities are sometimes several hours' drive away, so a doctor working in a rural setting gets to see and manage an endless stream of complex but interesting cases. Interns working in rural training hospitals are part of a treating team and frequently get the opportunity to participate in patient management, but their colleagues in urban hospitals are at the bottom of a rank of senior doctors who mostly handle such cases, drastically limiting their participation.

More doctors for rural Australia program

One of the solutions to the challenges of delivering quality health care services to those living in remote and rural locations in Australia is to recruit more doctors for these areas. The Department of Health of the Australian Government has established a program to increase the number of doctors in these areas so as to improve access to health care by Australians resident there.

To ensure that the standard of care delivered is high, doctors on this program are given support and training to enable them to become vocationally recognised. Applicants must be temporary or permanent residents and should have the proficiency to perform their duties.

A doctor must be registered with the Australian Medical Council and possess an offer of employment to be eligible. A leading GP recruitment agency can help in finding an ideal job that will meet the specific requirements. Doctors who successfully get on this program must demonstrate that they are working towards fellowship by applying to a fellowship program every year.

Benefits of working in rural or remote areas

Working in these areas provides doctors with an opportunity to live a relaxed lifestyle in a regional city or town and at the same time acquire a wide range of skills that can enhance professional development. Many of these places are rural towns or cities with large populations and good-sized referral hospitals. GPs are highly sought after, and there are plenty of opportunities for other specialists such as radiologists, psychiatrists, obstetricians and gynaecologists.

There is usually a shortage of doctors due to a misconception that rural and remote areas are lonely or boring and without much to do. Nothing can be further from the truth. Medical communities in rural settings are generally inclusive, most working together collaboratively, and this enables medical professionals to make friends easily and establish a social network. It is easy to integrate and get involved in community activities such as sports or volunteer groups. Speaking to the locals can help in finding out how to participate.

Remote locations provide an opportunity for nature enthusiasts to experience nature at its best. Some areas have unique wildlife or lush mountainous rainforests, while other areas may have spectacular beach fronts for those who enjoy sunbathing on the beach. Many of these locations have shopping centres, sporting arenas with modern facilities, recreation centres and excellent transport network. In addition, they are very affordable places to live. This means lower cost of living and better quality of life because the salary can go much further to buy the very best things to enjoy a good life.