Dr Adam Bancroft

How did your rural pathway begin? When did you get your first taste of rural work?

I was fortunate enough to have a clinical attachment with the wonderful Dr Ray Clarke in Margaret River as a fourth-year medical student in 1996. Up until then, I would have to say that my GP training had left me feeling a little underwhelmed. I was able to see firsthand how interesting and varied a rural generalist’s work can be and how valued you are in the community. I watched and learned as we did an anaesthetic list, delivered a baby, did a surgical list, and cared for inpatients and emergency presentations at the local hospital. This was all in addition to GP work in the local clinic. Dr Clarke had to be one of the most skilled doctors in the country; he was so humble and loved by staff, his patients, and the community. One of my proudest days as a doctor came when treating a patient many years later who said I reminded them of a young Ray Clarke!

What did your training pathway look like from medical school graduation to rural generalist?

Despite deciding I wanted to end up working as a rural generalist in Margaret River, I took the usual roundabout way in getting there. There is so much in medicine to enjoy, and all the additional training helps in your work as a rural generalist. I spent 10 years working in Australia and overseas developing knowledge and skills which have been invaluable in my role as a rural generalist.

Is there a certain temperament that suits being a rural generalist?

I think a rural generalist must be comfortable managing complex and varied clinical situations in a resource-challenged environment. They also must be able to accept that as a true generalist they are never going to have specialist level knowledge in any field. This requires calmness, confidence and resourcefulness that makes for a very rewarding, challenging and always interesting career.

When you’re not at work, what do you do with your free time?

Photo: Dr Adam Bancroft