A Country Practice
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Number 4 • 15 August 2011 MJACareers THE MEDICAL JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA A country practice DR SAMUEL Goodwin, a general C1 practice registrar in Alice Springs in the Rural GPs provide holistic care for patients of all ages Northern Territory, recently hosted a fundraiser gig featuring a hospital band to raise money for an injured colleague. With only four tickets sold before the night, Dr Goodwin had modest expectations. “But we ended up getting over 100 people and raising thousands of dollars. Everyone had a really good time, and to my mind it’s a strong display of the support that exists in small communities for one another”, he says. Like many rural GPs, Dr Goodwin says that having a respected role within his local community is one of the most satisfying aspects of being a rural GP. “The lack of anonymity that you might © 2011 Image courtesy of GPET. fi nd in a rural context is more than made up for by that increased role and value you a strong community is a solid, sustainable student anywhere they want in the world play in the community”, he says. medical practice.” — and that’s evident from my career path.” Dr Jeff Ayton, president of the Australian Dr Ayton says he was inspired to train Dr Ayton spent 2 years practising in College of Rural and Remote Medicine, as a rural generalist because he believed Norfolk Island as a GP-obstetrician- agrees that the it would allow him to practise anywhere anaesthetist, where he also had government level of support in Australia, or the world. It was a well medical offi cer responsibilities and did for GPs in rural founded decision, as his career has taken population health work. communities is him to locations as diverse as Antarctica, “The expanded scope of practice is incredible. Norfolk Island and Papua New Guinea. invaluable. In addition to routine general “Country towns “By having the generalist scope of practice, adding on the procedural practice rely on their GP practice it’s amazing what doors can open, and emergency medicine is to die for”, he not only for their both across geographies, and also across says. medical practice, the spectrums of primary, secondary and The procedural work involved with but also because occasionally tertiary health care. Rural being a rural GP also increases the the foundation of generalism can really take a medical potential remuneration. Dr Jeff Ayton continued on page C3 X In this issue C2, C4 - C5, C12, C15 Specialist Appointments C9 - C11 Locums C1 Working as a rural GP C13 Conferences C5 Associate Professor Lucie Walters : GP-obstetrician C14 GP Opportunities C7 Financial bonds C16 Marketplace Editor: Sophie McNamara • [email protected] • (02) 9562 6666 MJA Careers www.mjacareers.com.au • Number 4 • 15 August 2011 Discover a world of interesting positions, explore new locations and increase your earnings with the help of Health 24-7. www.health247.com.au GENERAL MEDICINE VMO ORTHOPAEDIC VMO Western VIC From 12/09/2011 To 19/09/2011 $1,800 p/d North West VIC From 13/09/2011 To 19/09/2011 $2,000 p/d Country WA From 26/09/2011 To 17/10/2011 $1,800 p/d Southern NSW From 01/09/2011 To 03/09/2011 $2,500 p/d C2 South Australia From 26/08/2011 To 02/09/2011 $2,000 p/d Country VIC From 04/10/2011 To 11/10/2011 $2,000 p/d GENERAL SURGERY VMO FACEM North West VIC From 12/09/2011 To 19/09/2011 $2,000 p/d Country NSW From 11/09/2011 To 19/09/2011 $2,000 p/d Coastal QLD From 19/09/2011 To 30/09/2011 $1,983 p/d North West VIC From 07/09/2011 To 03/10/2011 $2,000 p/d South West NSW From 12/12/2011 To 25/12/2011 $2,500 p/d Northern Territory From 29/08/2011 To Ongoing $2,500 p/d North West NSW From 29/09/2011 To 02/10/2011 $2,000 p/d Western NSW From 26/09/2011 To 02/10/2011 $1,800 p/d REGISTRAR Surgical, NSW From 26/08/2011To 30/08/2011 $165 p/h OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY VMO Emergency, TAS From 16/10/2011To 18/10/2011 $150 p/h Southern NSW From 02/09/2011 To 05/09/2011 $2,500 p/d Orthopaedic, NSW From 10/10/2011To 21/10/2011 $115 p/h Tasmania From 05/12/2011 To 09/12/2011 $2,000 p/d Medical, WA From 16/09/2011To 26/09/2011 $140 p/h Western NSW From 05/09/2011 To 12/09/2011 $1,800 p/d Paediatric,TAS From 10/10/2011 To 17/10/2011 $120 p/h THESE GENERAL PRACTICES NEED YOU! 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ACRRM registrars undertake the “The fact that I can divide my majority of their training in rural or week between doing anaesthetics remote areas, in hospitals, general in the hospital, general practice practices or Aboriginal Medical Services. The 4-year course also work, teaching and some fl ying requires registrars to undertake • CLINICAL DIRECTOR doctor work — it does make a 12 months’ advanced training in • DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL EDUCATION really nice mix.” one of 10 disciplines beyond the standard scope of GP training, such Applications for these two positions are invited from General He also enjoys the chance to Practitioners committed to providing a high standard of clinical as anaesthetics, mental health, practice, teaching, and clinical leadership of a multidisciplinary team. work with Indigenous Australians obstetrics and gynaecology or — an opportunity that is available emergency medicine. Academic appointments with University of Queensland School of Medicine are available to successful applicants. Remuneration in many rural or remote areas. The RACGP also offers a Fellowship is negotiable based on salary supported by private practice “Indigenous health is a great in Advanced Rural General Practice arrangements. opportunity to learn, where there’s (FARGP) for doctors with an interest The positions are located in Bundaberg with an urban and in rural and procedural general surrounding regional population of 100,000 and accessible to the genuine pathology and a chance to practice. The FARGP is aimed at Coral Coast recreational opportunities. make a difference”, he says. GP registrars enrolled in vocational However, Dr Goodwin cautions training, as well as at experienced FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: GPs. The FARGP requires GP that the cost of training can be Dr Martin Strahan | 07 4153 0746 | [email protected] registrars to spend at least 12 high for registrars based in a months of their training in an remote area. accredited rural training post, plus “You need to travel to courses undertake 12 months of advanced C3 or other professional development rural skills training. opportunities. From Alice, More information is available from the costs of fl ights are often ACRRM: www.acrrm.org.au/vocational- exorbitant”, he says. training However, Dr Goodwin says the AFT Pharmaceuticals RACGP: relative isolation of training as a www.racgp.org.au/fargp rural GP has also had benefi ts, Phenoxymethylpenicillin particularly in encouraging him to take on greater professional “Being responsible for Below product information relates to advertisement responsibilities. everything from the delivery of on page 162 “The highlight for me has been the new child, to providing the that the learning curve has been end-of-life care within the same continuous the whole time. I’ve community is a privilege and Phenoxymethylpenicillin-AFT – Abridged Product Information Phenoxymethylpenicillin (as the potassium salt) 125 mg/5 mL and 250 mg/5 mL, powder for oral had increasing responsibility in deeply satisfying.” liquid Presentation: Phenoxymethylpenicillin-AFT is a pale orange granular powder with an orange odour. After reconstitution, the solution provides either phenoxymethylpenicillin potassium equivalent to each job I’ve taken on, and it’s For doctors or medical students phenoxymethylpenicillin 125 mg per 5 mL or 250 mg per 5 mL as appropriate. Indications: Treatment of mild to moderately severe infections caused by penicillin-sensitive organisms. Dosage and Administration: Adults - Treatment of infections: 250-500 mg every 4 to 6 hours, preferably 1 hour before food. Prevention now at the point where I am considering a career in rural of recurrence following rheumatic fever: 250 mg every 12 hours. Children - Treatment of infections: 15-50 mg/kg in 3 to 6 divided doses. Contraindications: Known hypersensitivity to penicillin. Persons who are capable of being on an [RFDS] general practice, Dr Goodwin hypersensitive to cephalosporins may also exhibit hypersensitivity to penicillin.