Junior doctors supported in rural primary care rotations

The expanded Rural Junior Doctor Training Innovation Fund (RJDTIF) program concluded this month after successfully supporting 15 WA Country Health Service (WACHS) prevocational doctors to each complete a rural primary care rotation in 2022. The program was centrally coordinated by the Rural Generalist Pathway WA (RGPWA) Coordination Unit within WACHS.

Dr Alec Disley, a resident medical officer at Albany Health Campus, undertook a RJDTIF rotation at Pioneer Health Albany. The rotation offered a strong focus on Women’s Health, including attendance at the hospital for deliveries, neonatal checks and postnatal care. Participating prevocational doctors were supported to complete their Women’s Health Certificate later if they chose to, given they saw a high case load of obstetric and gynaecological cases in the general practice. 

While reflecting on his time in the program, Dr Disley acknowledged the uniqueness of the rotation. “This Women's Health rotation has been a great experience for me. I gained exposure to a range of women's health issues and have grown in confidence in this area of medicine," Dr Disley said. He sees himself working as a GP or rural generalist in Albany in the future. "It was a great privilege to work closely with many experienced GP Obstetricians. I feel this has been an invaluable step in my journey pursuing a career as a rural generalist,” said Dr Disley.

Dr Michelle Dos Santos, a resident medical officer at Bunbury Regional Hospital, undertook a RJDTIF placement at South West Aboriginal Medical Service (SWAMS) in Bunbury. Dr Dos Santos found this a busy term, with her appointments often booked out. "There were so many different presentations and demographics. One appointment could be a 3-week-old baby and the next an 80-year-old gentleman. I really enjoyed yarning with my patients and learnt a lot through their stories," Dr Dos Santos said.

Dr Dos Santos also spoke highly of the interprofessional team she worked with at SWAMS. "It's been nice working with a good team including the GPs who have provided a lot of teaching and education. There is always somebody available to talk to, you're never by yourself. The nursing staff have been amazing and I've enjoyed working with the nurses here. They are a wealth of information, experience and support. I've also learnt so much from the nurse practitioners who work specifically in diabetes and sexual health," said Dr Dos Santos.

While the RJDTIF program is aimed at doctors intending to pursue a career as a rural GP or rural generalist, it provides valuable experience even to those planning to do non-GP specialist training. "Working with patients in a GP setting has made me feel more involved in the local community. I would recommend this placement to anyone, even if GP is not their intended future career path", Dr Dos Santos said.

The RJDTIF program was made possible through funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care and the support of the participating rural primary care organisations. In addition to Pioneer Health Albany and SWAMS, the program offered rotations in the Kimberley at the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service. 

From January 2023, the RJDTIF program has been replaced by the John Flynn Prevocational Doctor Program (JFPDP), offering even more rural primary care rotations to WACHS employed prevocational doctors. We are excited to welcome a new group of junior doctors to the program and wish them all good luck!