From a childhood of moving from one small town to another, FACRRM Dr Antoinette Mowbray experienced life in rural and remote towns from an early age. She now works in Bairnsdale, Victoria where she works as a VMO GP with procedural obstetrics, as well as teaching medical students at the rural clinical school, being a medical educator for local ACRRM registrars, and being the Victorian representative on the ACRRM Council.
What is your background?
I had a fairly itinerant and fascinating early childhood following my dad as a remote area nurse around the countryside. From Tamworth, NSW, to Alice Springs & Yuendumu, NT, to Newcastle, Wilcannia in outback NSW and over to rural WA, before we finally settled in far eastern Victoria from the age of 12 on a rural lifestyle property.
I went to medical school in Newcastle and completed my internship & residency at Tamworth - one of the best places I could have started my career. I was a RAMUS scholar and went back to Victoria annually for scholarship experience with my mentor during medical school. After my residency, I completed a DRANZCOG Adv in Warragul, VIC with an obstetric bridging post the following year. I finally moved to Bairnsdale, only 2 hours from my family home, and have been here for 5 years.
What made you want to pursue a career as a rural GP?
I love living in the country. I couldn’t (and still can’t) stand more than about 2 days in the city, and I love the variety and challenge that rural procedural practice offers, plus the opportunity to cultivate longitudinal relationships with patients and their families. I appreciate the role that a rural GP can have in the community and feel privileged to be a part of that workforce. I love the fact that I can live on a property with a million-dollar view, (without the price tag) and still be 7 minutes from work without any traffic lights. Also, how many other hospitals can say they have their own musical ensemble? (I play the violin)
Why did you choose to train with ACRRM?
I appreciated the focus on the needs of rural generalists in training, and I felt at home with the type of people who love living and working in the country. Just try RMA19 - you won’t look back!
What are some things you might normally do in a day as a rural generalist?
I usually start the day with ward rounds, which might include anything from inpatients with pneumonia, chest pain/AF, palliative care, postnatal checks, or checking in on someone in labour. I then go to the clinic - most of my clientele these days is antenatal and postnatal, contraception or in other types of women’s health. I really enjoy the general on call days, where any type of medicine can walk in! I can see such a variety, from mental health, to fractures, to diabetic complications, fishhooks in scalps (cue fishing towns nearby), paediatric issues to skin lesions. Sometimes I might have a medical student with me or get asked to supervise one of the interns or registrars in the clinic - teaching is obviously a great way of keeping on top of things.
Do you have any career highlights so far?
So many! But one that pops into my head was last year when I found myself in a challenging situation with an unexpected pre-terminal CTG trace on a 28-week antenate who had presented with reduced fetal movements, with no other symptoms. We had little time to think but pulled a great team of GP obstetricians and GP anaesthetists together and in under 20 minutes the 1.24 kg baby was born in good condition and kept stable until retrieval arrived 2.5 hours later. That baby is now well over 6 months old and thriving.
Sometimes the most rewarding things are the little achievements from continuity of care; the mental health patient who, with support hasn’t been talking about suicide anymore; the palliative patient who has a peaceful end of life; the troubled teen who is happy, finds meaning, gets a job and has stopped cutting through your support; the asthmatic who is so much better after adjusting lifestyle and medications; the smoker who finally quits; the diabetic who manages to get off medication through engaging in lifestyle modification; the nursing home patient who is delighted to see you when you come to visit; the little kid who brings you a special picture they drew after you gained their confidence while examining them when they were unwell – these are all of the types of things that make being a rural GP so rewarding.