Dr Ruth Highman

Did you always want to work as a rural generalist?

Yes! I grew up influenced by the golden era of TV – 'A Country Practice' and 'Flying Doctors'. What better grounding could a person want to develop a love of rural communities and rural generalism!

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

Knowing that I wanted to be a rural generalist, I graduated from medical school in 2002, did my intern year in 2003 and commenced my dual FACRRM and FARGP training in 2004.

I then did six months of paediatrics at Princess Margaret Hospital (now Perth Children's Hospital), six months of ED at SCGH, and GP rotations in Albany and Broome. I also did twelve months of 'reflection', working various independent roles in Perth – more ED at Joondalup and Armadale, and night medical officer roles at Mount Hospital and Hollywood Hospital. This fostered my ability to work independently.

I then spent fifteen months completing my advanced skill training in anaesthetics at Joondalup, before heading to Geraldton to complete my final GP rotation whilst practising anaesthetics. By the end of 2008, I was Fellowed, and then continued working in Geraldton in private general practice whilst providing anaesthetic services to the two hospitals in Geraldton.

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

'It takes all types' is a relevant adage. However, I think the following traits are beneficial:

• Pragmatism – you need to be able to form workable solutions for the unique circumstances of your settings and patients.
• Independence – whilst you can always 'phone a friend', at the end of the day sometimes you will need to 'Just Do It'!
• Initiative – being able to 'think outside the box' to come up with workable solutions.
• Acceptance – knowing what you can change and accepting what you can’t.
• Flexibility and adaptability – being able to adjust to live and work within your unique community and setting.

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

Cycling – all disciplines. I have a garage full of bikes – one for every occasion! A fat tyred bike (4-inch tyres) for cycling along the beach and the sand dunes. A road bike for cycling with various road cycling groups in Geraldton – it’s the mandatory conversation and coffee that follows the ride that is the lure for me! A gravel bike for cycling the quiet gravel roads interspersed between the vast farming properties resplendent in their fields of yellow canola and green wheat during winter. A commuting bike to get around town – no need for a car when living in Geraldton, everything is within cycling distance. A mountain bike to cycle the trails of Greenough and Chapman River. When not cycling, I enjoy the café culture that Geraldton has to offer and the stunning beaches.

What does your region offer that a major city doesn’t?

A sense of community and belonging – you know you belong when the cafés know your order! Easy commuting – everywhere can be reached within 10 mins by car, or better still, by 20 mins on bike! Roll out of bed at 6:30am, showered, dressed and at work by 7am. Relaxed lifestyle – able to be 'in the moment' and enjoy the simple pleasures of climate, community, beaches and coffee. Affordable lifestyle – housing is so very affordable – Cottesloe beachside living on a 'burbs budget'. Enviable surf beaches – not a shore dumper in sight and no competition for the waves! Great climate – a mild winter, and a marginally cooler summer compared to Perth (thanks to those southerly breezes!). Wind sports – is an international 'mecca' for kitesurfing and windsurfing. 'The Great Outdoors' – proximity and easy access to stunning locations for camping, 4WD-ing, hiking, boating, fishing, snorkelling and diving. Wildflowers – in spring the landscape is transformed to a wildflower wonderland. The common story for most people living here is they came for a one-two year work contract, and x number of years later they are still here. Be warned, once you come you will not leave!

If you weren’t a doctor, what would you have done for a career?

I don’t think it could have been a career (as I would have needed some talent for that to occur!); however, I would have loved to have studied 'Voice' at the Conservatory of Music at UWA. I have always had a love for choral music, and as a child was very envious of those choristers singing in the cathedral choir. A chamber choir is one thing that Geraldton is lacking – I would love to be part of one! If you can sing, please come to Geraldton and we can create one!

Photo: Dr Ruth Highman enjoying a day out cycling