MAKE THE MOVE

Not every rural doctor delivers babies, administers anaesthetics or inserts chest tubes. While there may be opportunities to gain further training and carry out a wide range of interesting procedures, the country doctor often works in a group practice with colleagues whose skills compliment each other. With modern transport and communication, specialist assistance and advice, help is never far away.

Like all general practice, it is a matter of knowing one's limitations and resources. There is a community closeness and friendliness that is hard to find in large cities. This leads to a very satisfying doctor / patient relationship as well as continuity of care. You get to treat the whole person, you know their lifestyle, family, friends and boss. "I often know what to look for in my patients because I treated their parents for the same disease." Many of this Division's doctors ended up in the country by 'accident'. They were sent to the country as part of their training and found that they liked it or they decided to give it a go for a short time and ended up staying.

Give it a Try

The West Vic Division can show city GPs just what the country has to offer. Undertaking a few weeks locum in Western Victoria provides an opportunity to practice in a different environment and earn extra income. Bring the family, see if there are jobs for your partner, check out the schools, shops and facilities and see if you like the work.

Some of the concerns that city doctors have expressed about rural practice include:

• "I'll lose my anonymity". Yes people will know who you are, some may want to show you the boil on their child's arm while you're in the bank, but most people are appreciative of their doctor and will respect your privacy.
• "I'll have to do emergency Caesars, manage heart attacks on my own, give anaesthetics, perform appendectomies and be on call 24 hours a day". If that's your bent, we could probably find you a job and pay for your training. We can also find you a job that does not require procedural skills and after hours, most likely we can find you a career somewhere between these two extremes.

Some Benefits of Rural Practice

• You may well end up living on a hobby farm and have to check the dams and fences before you do your hospital rounds
• Your 4WD might get real dirt on it
• Your children might want a horse or pony
• All your friends will want to visit
• You won't hear the news in the morning - you're not in the car long enough
• You can go home for lunch
• Patients will bring you cakes and relishes
• People will complain when you go on holidays
• You'll be expected to be the medical officer at the local picnic races
• You will find yourself mesmerised by the stars and lose your train of thought
• A highly valued member of a grateful rural community
• You will be confused as to why you didn't make the move earlier

Recruitment of rural doctors is the government's flavour of the month, for eligible doctors there are subsidies for relocation and training grants to enable you to up-skill in areas of interest and need.

To find out how to make this happen contact Tina Wilde.

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