Young doctors and medical students are being targeted in a new campaign to encourage general practitioners to practice in rural areas.
Go Rural is an initiative of Rural Health Workforce Australia (RHWA) and Rural Workforce Agencies and is designed to showcase the professional and lifestyle rewards of rural medicine, including access to some of the best training opportunities in the country.
The agencies are running a series of Go Rural events over the next six months, including skills days, regional bus tours and opportunities to meet experienced rural GPs.
“Now is a good time to consider a move because the federal Department of Health is offering incentives up to $120 000 to relocate”, Ms Jo-Anne Chapman, RHWA’s general manager programs, said.
“But it’s more than just the money that we want to tell people about: the country is a great place to raise a family and connect with a community that values your skills.”
The first event, a 2-day workshop for 24 medical students from the University of Tasmania was a big success.
The students got a crash course in the business side of general practice, learning the finer points of contracting, human resources and information technology, as well as an emergency skills session, featuring hands-on experience with teaching dummies and resuscitation equipment.
For more information about Go Rural workshops and the campaign, visit http://www.rhwa.org.au/gorural
- Cate Swannell