Rural Training Keeps GPs In Rural Areas

Rural Training Keeps GPs In Rural Areas

In 2012, there were 1,642 registrars doing vocational GP training in regional and remote areas of Australia (classified as RA2-5). Of the GP registrars who train in these regional and remote areas, 42% are likely to stay in these areas for at least 5 years after they've achieved fellowship.

Dr Jennifer Smith is in the last stages of her GP registrar training in Temora, NSW. Jennifer grew up in Orange, NSW and always wanted to be a rural GP. 'It's really rewarding and I like the independence and community integration. I have more freedom to effectively manage my patients" she says.

'Everyone in town knows my kids, my husband's employed here and we've bought a house, so I plan to stay here for at least the next 5-10 years". Jennifer's keen to further her studies in mental health, drug and alcohol and sleep medicine.

Chair of General Practice Education & Training Limited, Associate Professor Richard Matthews AM said 'many of these GPs in training such as Dr Smith may go on to work in their local hospital or form a key part of their local general practice, being the frontline in providing primary health care. 'We do know that if we can train at least 50% in a rural area, then a high proportion are likely to stay rural, because they build a life in that community." Said Professor Matthews.
Dr Jennifer Smith with Samuel and Lydia.

Professor Matthews advises 'From 2004 to 2012, we have seen a four-fold increase in GP registrars in advanced rural training in obstetrics and gynaecology, and in anaesthetics they have more than doubled".

GP Registrars in Training

 The AGPT program has an annual intake of 1200 training places, of which 50% must train in a general practice in RA2-5. There are presently 3,323 GP Registrars enrolled in the AGPT program with 17 regional training providers nationally.

For information on the Australian Government's Remote Area Classification System, please refer to: www.doctorconnect.gov.au

The AGPT program offers a pathway to train towards Fellowship of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (FACRRM) and/or the Fellowship in Advanced Rural General Practice (FARGP) through RACGP.

Entry is open to junior doctors who have completed their internship and gained medical registration. The AGPT program is managed by General Practice Education and Training (GPET) Limited, a wholly owned and funded Australian Government company. For further information on GPET and its programs, please refer to: www.gpet.com.au