Dr Vinod Pushpalingam
When did you get your first taste of rural work?
I guess my first taste of rural work happened after I changed track as a paediatrics registrar and went overseas for work in an isolated rural community treating tuberculosis in Ethiopia. I had started out thinking I would live and work in Perth, but after that experience I decided I wanted a broad range of skills and the country seemed like the best place. I commenced GP training and worked for 12 months at the Aboriginal Medical Service in Kalgoorlie before coming back to Perth to complete 12 months of anaesthetics advanced skill training at Joondalup. At that time, my career path had been self-navigated through speaking to other country doctors, who were supportive and encouraging.
Is there a certain temperament that suits being a rural generalist?
Rural generalists tend to be versatile, adaptable and able to work in a variety of different and, at times, challenging environments. There is no one fit for rural generalists, as there will be some who prefer primary care, but are happy to support their local Emergency Department (ED) and provide aged and palliative care, or those who prefer a more critical care slant. The wide geographic difference of WA lends itself to a wide variety of different skill sets.
When you’re not at work, what do you do with your free time?
When I'm not at work, I try to spend time with my wife and two girls. I have tried to get a better work-life balance (though this has always been a challenge for me). I cycle (minus the lycra) and do enjoy a good book or Netflix series. Every second week I still work in the Busselton Hospital Emergency Department as I feel the mix of clinical and central office work allows a good balance for my work brain.
What is unique about the region you work in?
Busselton, when I arrived in 2009, was still a relatively small town, but over the last sixteen years it has grown and has a good mixture of primary care and acute medicine that can provide good training for future rural generalists. The South West attraction speaks for itself, whether your passion is for the outdoors, or surf or art and culture, there are lots of options for families.
If you weren’t a doctor, what would you have done for a career?
If I wasn’t a doctor, I would have liked to be an architect. I love Grand Designs and still dream of designing my own home one day.
If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive, who would that be and why?
If I could meet anyone in the world, I would love to invite them to the ultimate dinner party cooked by Heston Blumenthal with Elon Musk, Julie Bishop and Sacha Baron Cohen as my guests.
Photo: Dr Vinod Pushpalingam