6.7 Training general specialists rurally: what works
Tracks
Botanical 3 room
| Thursday, October 23, 2025 |
| 2:20 PM - 2:50 PM |
| Botanical 3 room |
Details
Format: Panel discussion (60-minute)
Speaker
A/Prof Helen Wright
Paediatrician
Rural Clinical School of Western Australia
Training general specialists rurally: what works
2:20 PM - 3:25 PMAbstract Overview
The National Medical Workforce Strategy (2021-2031) recognises the need to build a sustainable generalist medical workforce. In Australia, there has been a relative decrease in generalist specialties including most acutely observed in geographical locations least well supported by sub-specialists, notably rural, remote and outer metropolitan areas.
Courage, creativity and collaboration is required to address these challenges. This panel discussion will include trainees, present innovative approaches taken in rural psychiatry and physician training, as well as proposed changes to training in rural general paediatrics.
This panel discussion will include:
- the courageous voice of trainees, telling us what they want from rural specialist training programs
- the creative success of rural psychiatry training in Western Australia and the new initiative of the RAPTOR (Rural Adult Physician Training, Opportunities and Rotations) program
- collaborations involved in changes to rural general paediatric training and the proposal to remove mandatory rural terms
Takeaways:
Rural areas offer opportunities for excellent training of generalist specialists – but requires courage, creativity and collaboration for successful and sustainable programs.
What needs to happen next for this to occur?
Courage, creativity and collaboration is required to address these challenges. This panel discussion will include trainees, present innovative approaches taken in rural psychiatry and physician training, as well as proposed changes to training in rural general paediatrics.
This panel discussion will include:
- the courageous voice of trainees, telling us what they want from rural specialist training programs
- the creative success of rural psychiatry training in Western Australia and the new initiative of the RAPTOR (Rural Adult Physician Training, Opportunities and Rotations) program
- collaborations involved in changes to rural general paediatric training and the proposal to remove mandatory rural terms
Takeaways:
Rural areas offer opportunities for excellent training of generalist specialists – but requires courage, creativity and collaboration for successful and sustainable programs.
What needs to happen next for this to occur?
Biography
Helen is a Paediatrician and Medical Educator with the Rural Clinical School of Western Australia (RCSWA) and Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH). Helen is co-lead of the statewide Child and Youth Health Network, and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, UK. Helen provides academic scholarship in teaching, research and leadership, with a rural focus.
Helen teaches rural and metro-based students including bedside tutorials, history and examination workshops, simulation workshops, site visits and videoconference teaching sessions. She is involved in curriculum review and development, as well as assessment. Helen leads a Peer Assisted Learning program in paediatric clinical examination.
Helen’s research activities reflect her clinical, teaching and leadership roles.
Professional memberships include Australian & New Zealand Association for Health Professional Educators (ANZAHPE), Rural Doctors Association of Western Australia.
Helen’s service to the community includes representing Australia in the winter Olympic sport of curling, having played in 75 matches at international events.
