Rural Generalist Medicine
A rural generalist is a general practitioner who has additional training in emergency medicine and an advanced skill such as obstetrics, anaesthetics or palliative care. A rural generalist can provide non-referred services, usually in a hospital or appropriately equipped facility, which in a metropolitan area would typically be referred to a non-GP specialist.
Rural and remote medicine in Australia is unique. Rural generalists bring a wealth of skills and experience to the diverse communities and locations in which they practise. Much like the tight-knit communities they serve, rural generalists are resourceful and resilient. Doctors who choose rural generalist medicine as a career thrive on providing an extended scope of practice with advanced skills that help them serve the needs of their communities. Rural generalists are flexible and can adapt to working in a range of environments. Rural generalists are highly valued and appreciated by the communities they serve, which makes for a truly rewarding career. Check out our Life as a Rural Generalist section to hear from some of our current and aspiring rural generalists about how rewarding a career in rural generalist medicine is.
Rural generalists and trainees play an important role in the lives of people in our country communities. People living in rural and remote areas experience poorer general health than those in metropolitan areas. Aboriginal health and life expectancy is significantly less than that of non-Aboriginal people. Government funding and industry investment over recent years have brought about a transformation of country health care through major and minor capital works. More towns now have contemporary health campuses, expanded hospitals, greater emergency service capacity and modern facilities and equipment. Coupled with technological and service innovations such as Telehealth, health care delivery is closer to home for more country Western Australians than ever before.
Rural generalist fellowships are offered by the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. The image below provides a snapshot of the fellowship training requirements. For further information, please visit the Primary Care Training section of our website.
