It is no secret that rural Western Australia is grappling with a critical shortage of GPs, driven by the state’s remoteness, high workload and challenges in retaining medical professionals.   

Addressing the GP shortage in rural WA requires a comprehensive and local approach, and the Rural Clinical School of WA (RCSWA) Regional Training Hubs Rural GP Project is taking significant steps to tackle this issue. 

The project is an umbrella initiative targeting three areas of the medical training pathway - students, prevocational doctors, and GP Registrars. By engaging people on the medical training pathway, the project aims to foster a greater interest in and commitment to General Practice.

Image: Students tour Albany Regional Hospital with Director of Clinical Training RGPWA Dr Airell Hodgkinson (left) and RCSWA's Dr Brian Cunningham (right).

A 2023 Australian Department of Health report identified several determinants which influence a doctor’s decision to move into General Practice, but the doctor’s experience in GP as a medical student (good or bad) is considered a major one.   

The first part of the project focuses on reaching out to final year medical students when they rotate out to rural regions and offering them a variety of experiences and pastoral support.

These can include opportunities for experience in palliative care, the local Aboriginal Medical Service, St John Ambulance, meeting the regional Director of Clinical Training RGPWA and future career pathway discussions with RCSWA Hubs mentors. These initiatives help the students to have a more well-rounded, positive and valuable rural GP experience.

The second part involves connecting with regional Interns and pre-vocational doctors by providing forums and opportunities to talk and interact with experienced rural GPs and GP Registrars.

The group is given rare insights into the potential career and lifestyle choices available to them should they consider moving onto a rural GP career pathway. These conversations can also help dispel negative myths about General Practice, which are sometimes perpetuated by those in the hospital system.

Image: A panel of experienced Albany GPs busting myths about General Practice.

Crossing the divide from working in the hospital system surrounded by colleagues, to working in the community as a GP, can be a daunting one. The third part of the project addresses this, by supporting new GP Registrars through the process and beyond, leading to a more positive and enjoyable GP training experience. The initiatives designed to support this group include medical and career mentoring, arranging study groups, invigilating GP exams, and organising events so Registrars and their families can connect socially.

Image: From left, GP Registrars connecting over Sunday morning breakfast in Albany, and final year medical students on General Practice rotation are taken on tour by RCSWA's Dr Brian Cunningham. 

The project’s multi-faceted local approach goes beyond the scope of existing Government recommendations for enhancing recruitment and retention in rural General Practice.

By focusing on positive rural experiences for medical students, connecting pre-vocational doctors with experienced practitioners, and supporting new GP Registrars, the project is helping to build a more robust and sustainable GP workforce. 

For further information, contact [email protected]

Article by Juliet Bateman