On Digital Learning Day, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) is highlighting the role of technology in supporting doctors who live and train in Australia’s rural and remote communities.
ACRRM provides best-practice digital learning tools that allow registrars to complete their training and assessments online, ensuring they can remain in their communities while gaining the skills they need to deliver high-quality care.
College President Dr Rod Martin says technology plays a vital role in overcoming the challenges of distance and isolation for rural and remote General Practitioners (GPs) and Rural Generalists (RGs).
“ACRRM ensures our RG registrars have access to high-quality education and assessments no matter where they are,” Dr Martin says.
“The College hosts innovative workshops, podcasts, and online learning modules while also enabling mentoring and supervision through digital platforms that supplement our core face-to-face education and training supports.
“Our online assessment program allows doctors to complete their exams in a controlled environment from anywhere they choose, removing the burden of travel and enabling them to remain in their communities to provide continuity of care for their patients.”
Technology is also transforming the way ACRRM Fellows deliver healthcare, with telehealth playing a crucial role in extending their practice.
"Telehealth is empowering RGs to provide comprehensive and continuous care by enabling remote consultations with specialists, facilitating timely diagnoses, and enhancing patient management—allowing the delivery of high-quality healthcare without the constraints of distance," Dr Martin says.
The College is particularly proud of its highly regarded Tele-Derm program, which delivers free online dermatology advice to rural and remote General Practitioners and Rural Generalists, assisting them with diagnosis and treatment across all kinds of skin diseases and conditions.
Established in 2004 and funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care, ACRRM’s Tele-Derm service provides access to thousands of educational cases and dermatology resources. It also offers practical dermatology advice and education from experienced industry experts—including dermatologists, a plastic surgeon, and a vascular surgeon—within a 24-hour turnaround.
For Rural Generalists like Dr Matt Eckersley, the service is an invaluable tool.
“Tele-Derm means a huge amount to us,” Dr Eckersley says.
“We are 2500km from the nearest dermatologist in Perth.
“Being isolated is challenging; there are only two flights a week—each a four-hour journey costing at least $1200 return—so having a specialist opinion on hand for dermatology is fantastic.
“Beyond that, the learning opportunities from Tele-Derm’s case studies and condition index are invaluable.
“It supports us as clinicians, benefits our patients, and saves significant travel costs. “It’s truly a fantastic service.”
ACRRM remains committed to continuing to find new ways to use technology to enhance rural and remote medical education and service delivery, ensuring that all Australians, no matter where they live, can access high-quality healthcare.
ENDS