Working both in Australia and Internationally as a paediatric and neonatal nurse for 10 years prior to commencing medicine, Lisa discovered a passion for the fast-paced and diverse challenges of working in remote – often unstable - and resource-limited contexts. Undertaking a Diploma in Tropical Nursing at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in 2017, her desire to know and do more for the people of the communities she worked in spurred her to return to study medicine.

Since commencing medicine at JCU in 2019 she has completed her Master’s in Public health and tropical medicine (JCU) and a Graduate certificate in Humanitarian Leadership through Deakin University, with the hope of entering the Rural Generalist training stream and eventually returning to rural, remote and tropical medicine work in a new role both in Australia and across the Pacific region.

What are your career goals?

Whilst city/suburban practice may afford the “luxuries” of specialists, scans and super-clinics, having grown up on a farm in regional South Australia, the luxuries of space, fresh air, adventure and community spirit fostered an independence, imagination and can-do-attitude within me early on. To date these attributes have served me well – I have experienced an incredible career across the globe as a paediatric and neonatal nurse. Today, with a new sense of adventure, independence and my “can-do-attitude” I am excitedly progressing through Medical school at James Cook University (JCU) in the hope of becoming a Rural Generalist. I have a keen interest in Obstetrics, though my prior background nursing children and neonates continues to draw me to paediatrics and tropical medicine as areas of ongoing interest.

Over the coming 2 years of my degree I hope to participate in the extended rural placements on offer through James Cook University and begin the Rural Generalist training scheme on completion of my degree. I hope that I can combine my recently completed Master’s in Public Health and Tropical Medicine from JCU with my Bachelor of Medicine (for completed in 2024) to meaningfully contribute to the medical workforce in rural and remote Australia and the greater Pacific Region in a positive, sustainable and impactful way.

What do you believe are the key attributes of a Rural Generalist?

During my rural placements to date I have been fortunate to meet some amazing Rural Generalists - many of whom possess attributes I aspire to. These have been summarised – as every medical student likes to do – with the mnemonic… GENERALIST. 

G: Genuine – This rare breed of doctors have two feet firmly on the ground, manage to carry a wealth of information in their brain, a swag of specialty skills in tow a calmness like no other and a genuine love of the community they are part of and the role they play. 

EN: Enthusiastic – In spite of the varied and daily challenges in rural facilities and a lack of sleep, staff or resources, these individuals possess an enthusiasm which never ceases to fail… and if it does… refer to “S”. 

E: Educators - Rural Generalists must ensure their patients receive information and support to continue to manage their care in the community. They also support the budding future doctors to develop skills, knowledge and a love for rural medicine by patiently sharing their wisdom and providing a supportive environment for learning and growth. 

R: Relentless in their pursuit for that bed at the tertiary hospital or a retrieval where “time is muscle”…. “No” is not an option if it in any way impacts their patient’s care. 

A: Adaptable - No matter what the day or weather, a Rural Generalist never quite knows what might be next through the door but they anticipate anything and adapt to whatever they are faced with in a calm, methodical and reassuring manner. 

L: Listeners - It takes an astute ear to pick up on the idiosyncrasies of a patient’s case that may not fit with typical urban-practice presentations.  Active listening is essential to understand the nuances of access, affordability and resource barriers for patients in rural communities and subsequently consider ways to address these. 

I: Inquisitive and Industrious:  Rural Generalists are always learning more or busy finding new ways to achieve the best outcomes for their patients with the resources and skills they and their team have available. 

S: Sense of humour – On the rare occasion that a Rural Generalist has depleted their “Enthusiasm”… in comes a “Sense of humour” to face the challenges of the day and ensure the team-spirit stays strong. 

T: Team player - Rural Generalists know they can’t achieve great outcomes alone. They value every member of their - sometimes very small – team. They celebrate successes together and support each other to learn and grow professionally.

What do you see the key differences are between practising in a city suburban area and practising in a rural or remote community?

The key differences of rural practice – summarised by “RURAL PRACTICE”… 

R: Remoteness - Distance, time and resources can all impact patient care. This requires astute knowledge of how to best navigate these challenges for best patient outcomes. 

U: Understanding - Of the broader healthcare system supports available such as tele-health, retrieval and local community allied health services. 

R: Responsibility – Additional responsibilities in resource management, patient care and health education. A responsibility to ensure self-care and work-life balance to prevent burnout and ensure optimal functioning in a stressful environment. 

A: Acceptance – By and of the community. Challenging what can be changed and accepting and embracing what cannot. 

L: Life-course care – Caring for all members of the community from “cradle-to-grave”. 

P: Public health – Responsibilities in reporting, outbreak identification, immunization, screening programs and maximising engagement in primary preventative care. 

R: Resilience – Being able to “bounce back” after a tough day with an awareness of one’s own resources to maximise wellbeing. 

A: Advanced skill training and Acumen – A Rural Generalist’s “superpower” as I like to call it. 

C: Continuous professional development – To maintain the depth and breadth of knowledge required to practice in such a diverse setting. 

T: Teamwork – There’s no “I” in team and the Rural Generalist knows and acknowledges this. 

I: Innovation –Rural practice relies on the ingenuity and innovation of Rural Generalists to advocate for novel ways of providing best-practice care. 

C: Consideration of culture – Whilst important in both suburban and rural contexts, ensuring culturally safe and appropriate care maximises community trust the healthcare system and ensures early healthcare seeking behaviours essential to delivering timely care in rural and remote Australia. 

E: Embracing the unique lifestyle and community that accompanies Rural and Remote practice. 

For the Physician, rural and remote practice provides career diversity and daily challenges superimposed on familiarity of the community itself. For someone like myself  - having worked as a nurse in many developing and often unstable contexts - the challenges and diversity of rural and remote practice are particularly appealing. 

Conversely, for this same individual - who highly values relationships, tradition, memories and a sense of “home” – rural medicine provides that community “familiarity” and sense of “home” to support the diverse challenges I will face practicing rural medicine in my future.

What do you see the key differences are between practising in a city suburban area and practising in a rural or remote community?

Having spent many years - prior to commencing medicine - working in remote and developing communities across the world with organizations including Medicin’s Sans Frontier’s (MSF) and the London School of Tropical Medicine, I have learn that preparation for any rural or remote work is essential. 

My personal list of important preparation – which has to date served me well on rural placements - includes:

-Knowing about the community - the demographics, languages spoken, cultural and religious beliefs, core employment areas and the history of the region.

-If there is a local dialect, learning some simple phrases that are helpful in the hospital setting or in general conversations on the street.

-Researching the best places to eat, drink, swim or visit. This can be online but the best sources are always asking local community members – they often know the “hidden gems”.

-Saying “yes” to all community event invitations. Being a somewhat introverted human this is not always easy but has allowed me to network and become part of the community I am living and working within. 

-Always pack games and puzzles! Activities you can do on your own are important items for those long weekends without power or internet.  Conversely,  team games are a great group activity to foster friendships – or create some healthy competition – outside of  the workplace.

Most importantly, preparing for rural requires an open mind, an accepting heart, resilience, a sense of adventure and a willingness to embrace new challenges. 
Rural is not always easy… but to date it has definitely been worth it!

What are you most looking forward to about attending RMA22 in Canberra?

The opportunity to attend RMA22 will allow me to further explore the many possibilities of rural medicine, with an exciting and wide range of educational sessions and workshops on offer. 

I look forward to being inspired by current Rural Generalists and meeting like-minded students from across Australia. I also hope the opportunity will allow me to continue learning about the highlights, challenges and obstacles faced by Rural Generalists and the evolution of Rural medicine careers into the future with a hope of becoming more actively involved in this space over the coming years.