Women in rural medicine are delivering frontline care, leading innovation, advocating for equity, and strengthening the fabric of rural health systems. Through a Q&A panel discussion and table activities, this forum (a collaboration between RDAA’s Female Doctors Group and the RACGP's Doctors for Women in Rural Medicine committee) will explore the vital and evolving role of women doctors in shaping the future of healthcare in rural Australia, and celebrate their leadership, resilience, and innovation in transforming rural healthcare.

Demographics in medicine are changing with more female doctors graduating from medical schools. This forum will explore barriers and enablers for women in taking up rural medical careers, contrasting the perspectives of graduates emerging from rural training pathways with those of a more mature cohort who have experienced and overcome the challenges, to identify needs, gaps, and possible avenues for advocacy.

We will highlight real stories of women in rural medicine who are making a tangible difference to their patients and communities through their leadership, mentorship and advocacy within their practices and in their local and wider communities. Their advocacy and work in public health and other facets of the health system has significant clinical, organisational, and policy impacts across the country.