Tell us about your journey into medicine. What made you want to pursue a career as a rural GP?

I love medicine, I love talking to people, and I love the rural Australian environment –rural general practice was an easy pick!

What prompted you to undertake the ACRRM Drug and Alcohol Addiction Education (DAAE) Program? How will you use these learnings and apply it to your local community?

As a rural GP registrar, I found drug and alcohol addiction a really challenging presentation before undertaking this course. In larger centers I’ve worked there has been a wealth of specialist resources at my disposal for AODs support, but I really wasn’t well informed about the resources available to me, or ways I could help support patients in my rural community. I feel much better prepared now not only to help patients who are seeking assistance for these issues, but to be proactive in identifying and supporting patients who may not feel comfortable seeking assistance for themselves.

Has the ACRRM DAAE program online course helped build your confidence and/or reinforced your skill in recognising the harms associated with drug and alcohol use and being able to respond appropriately?

I think the ACRRM DAAE program really highlighted the value of screening for drug and alcohol use and associated harms in my community. Even in my emergency department work, where the acute harms of substance use are often obvious, I feel patients are infrequently assisted to seek support for their drug or alcohol use once the acute injury has been managed. The ACRRM DAAE course helped highlight the value of contextualizing these acute presentations and encouraging and educating patients about how they can be supported more broadly to address any concerns they might have around their substance use.

Why do you think drug and alcohol addiction education is important? How are the needs different in rural communities?

I think drug and alcohol education is incredibly important, particularly for practitioners in rural communities, where specialist services may not be available and pathways to help are not always as accessible. Addiction can be such a disabling and stigmatising challenge for those who struggle with it, and rural practitioners need to feel comfortable to provide sensitive and wholistic support to their patients.

What takeaways have you had following completion of the ACRRM DAAE Program?

The ACRRM DAAE program was an excellent and flexible way to learn about substance use, it’s associated harms and management. I also think it serves as a fantastic and reliable reference to return to for resources that I can refresh my learning and can provide to patients to help them on their journey to recovery.

Why is this program important to rural doctors in training?

Rural doctors have a lot of content to cover! We are expected to learn the ins-and-outs about many common and not-so-common pathologies, but I think we can occasionally overlook some really important determinants of social health and wellbeing. I think the ACRRM DAAE program is a very pragmatic resource to help us address one of the more common and destructive issues that face not only our patients a individuals, but can also deeply affect their families and communities. 

What would you say to anyone thinking of enrolling in the course?

Do it! And if you’re busy (which you definitely are!) think about downloading the great College Canvas app on your phone. It makes it easy to take on the course in any little bites of time that might pop up in your day.

Did you need to have any skills in working with drug and alcohol addiction before you completed this course?

Nope! I think the ACRRM DAAE program would make a great introduction or refresher regardless of your level of experience in the area.

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For more information and to enrol into the ACRRM Drug and Alcohol Addiction (DAAE) Program, click here.