World Family Doctor Day is celebrated on 19 May each year. This is the day on which the central role that family doctors play in delivering personal, comprehensive and continuing health care for their patients is acknowledged and contributions of family doctors are celebrated. It is an important date in the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) calendar.
As the peak body for doctors in rural and remote areas, ACRRM works especially hard to ensure rural family doctors are recognised for the amazing contributions they make to healthcare systems around the world.
ACRRM President, Ruth Stewart, said, “We know that family doctors who choose to work in rural and remote communities often go above and beyond their calling to ensure their community receives quality medical care, and we don’t want to miss any opportunity to celebrate their efforts.
“World Family Doctor Day helps us draw attention to the fact that our ACRRM members are deeply engaged with their communities.”
Rural and remote general practice draws doctors from all walks of life, for many different reasons. Joshua Mortimer of Coffs Harbour, said his experience on reception at a general practice, where he witnessed the effects of medical workforce shortage outside metropolitan areas, inspired him to become a family doctor.
“No one should have to struggle to access healthcare by simple virtue of where they live. I continue to be inspired by the countless doctors striving to make a difference in those parts of the world where they’re needed most,” he said.
Jaffly Chen of Armidale, lists variety, lifestyle, responsibility and community as some of the reasons he’s chosen to pursue a career as a rural generalist, while Clay Rowe of Bundaberg, believes “Medicine provides both a rewarding career and an opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives.”
Justin Azzopardi, current chair of the ACRRM Future Generalist Committee and a rural generalist junior house officer at Redlands Hospital, Queensland, grew up in a rural area and understands the challenges faced by rural communities. He appreciates that rural and remote medicine can be challenging, but says that the rewards of community engagement and diversity of experiences make it immensely rewarding.
“I encourage all students and doctors who have an interest in rural medicine to get involved with state and national based rural organisations, and take on opportunities to practice in communities. It will challenge you, but the experience you gain will be invaluable,” he said.
Family doctors in rural areas may come from all walks of life and all points of the globe, but their reason for being a rural generalist are the same: to provide the best possible healthcare and support to their community.
Perhaps, the final say on being a rural family doctor is best left to Rebecca Irwin of Maitland:
“I have wanted to be a rural doctor ever since my first rural placement when I fell in love with the wonderful sense of community, the widened scope of practice and the multidisciplinary nature of rural health care. It is really such a privilege to provide care for people, families and the community from the cradle to the grave.”