Dr Burch is a FACRRM, alongside her FRACGP and DRANZCOG. She has an interest in medical education working with ACRRM registrars for many years, creating education programs and running online state-wide training sessions.

Dr Burch’s passion for rural generalism and education has sparked an interest in health professionals' education, studying a Masters at the University of Glasgow. She has always had an interest in medical education, working with Rural Vocational Training Scheme, General Practice Training Tasmania, ACRRM, HR+, and the Tasmanian Health Service Intern Program, creating new opportunities for first-year medical interns.

Why ACRRM?

I was a GP registrar before ACRRM was approved as a training college, however, I completed rotations with some of ACRRM’s founding members and was very excited about the prospect of having training specific to the needs of rural doctors. The passionate advocacy of ACRRM members for the training and support for rural doctors and their courage to step outside of the established paradigm has always been admirable.

What does rural generalism mean to you?

Rural generalism is the ability to provide care for local people most in need to the highest possible quality, while recognising that for people to heal well, they need to be surrounded by their country, home, family, a trusted carer and their community. Rural generalism is what most rural GPs and some urban GPs have been doing since Hippocrates times, but it is very important to recognise rural generalism as a discrete entity so this work and vocation can be seen, valued, and developed.

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