Dr Claudia McCulloch, Great Southern Region

I am fortunate to have spent quite a bit of time working and studying rurally. I completed two terms at Broome Hospital last year and am currently working at Albany Hospital as a WACHS employee. I decided to return to Albany after an awesome RCS year here in 2019. Both Broome and Albany have been incredible places to work and live.

Broome allows exposure to a wide range of interesting pathology within a super supportive environment. The breadth of medicine performed by Kimberley clinicians each day is unlike anything I have experienced in the city. Exposure to this generalist approach to medicine has helped me to develop a wide variety of different skills. I was able to further expand my skillset working closely with First Nations people. I learnt more about Australia’s traditional owners throughout my six-months in Broome than I have in my entire life. The Kimberley seems to attract a certain type of friendly and adventurous person, this makes for a great place to meet like-minded friends and explore beautiful landscapes.

Where Broome allows exposure to a true generalist lifestyle, Albany offers a slightly more specialist approach, and with this, several training opportunities. I am very lucky to be completing several courses this year, including the Emergency Medicine Certificate, Women’s Health Certificate and Pro Start Anaesthetics course. Access to a wide range of experienced specialists and GP specialists provides the perfect environment in which to expand your medical knowledge, all the while enjoying the benefits of country-town living. The work hours and beautiful coastline down here allows for a social and care-free lifestyle.

For anyone looking to learn to improve as both a well-rounded practitioner and individual, I couldn’t recommend working in a regional hospital more!!

Photo: Dr Claudia McCulloch on one of her adventures in the Great Southern region!