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Rural Pathway Checklist

Are you considering a rural pathway training place?

This checklist is a guide to help you find out what it means to undertake training in a rural area and to help you make an informed choice when selecting a training place.

Having a better understanding about the region you are applying to and understanding what it means to be a doctor within a rural environment will help you to have realistic expectations about your time in a rural environment and may also help you to be better prepared when attending an interview. Most importantly, completing the checklist will help to ensure a 'best fit' for you, your family, the local community and the RTP you select.

When selecting a rural pathway training place it is important to remember that a rural lifestyle can differ from that of an urban one. For example, as a doctor in a rural environment you may be more likely to be involved in the community, and as such you may find this intrusive. In addition, you should also consider differences in lifestyles between rural and urban regions, some things that are available to you in your current environment may not be as easily accessible to you in a rural environment.

The region

  • How big is the region? What is the population base? (You may consider having a look on a map at the region and surrounding areas).
  • How far is the region to the closest capital/metropolitan city?
  • Are airports and/or trains accessible at the teaching practice locations?
  • What is the local industry of the region? e.g. farming, mining etc
  • What are the climate conditions of the region? e.g. tropical, prone to droughts etc
  • What are the main cultural groups within the region?
  • What is the status of housing within the region? What may I expect to pay for rent in the area?
  • What kinds of shopping facilities are available?
  • What educational facilities are there in the area? e.g. schools, universities etc
  • What is the employment situation? (This is important if you have a spouse who may wish to seek employment in the region)
  • What are some of the highlights of this region?

The regional training provider (RTP) and teaching practices

  • Where are the practices located within this training provider region - what are their locations and distances to major centres in the region?
  • What is the population base where teaching practices are located? (This will give you an indication of the types of facilities that will probably be available)
  • What hospitals are located close to the teaching practices?
  • How accessible are allied health services within the practices?
  • How accessible are specialists within the area?
  • Are there any particular cultures within the practice locations that may have an impact on patient treatment?
  • What kinds of professional or peer networks will be available to me?
  • What are some of the advantages or benefits of working within this RTP region?
  • Will I be on call? If yes, how often?
  • Will I need a car and a driver's licence to fulfil my on-call responsibilities?                          

Social/spiritual                          

  • Will I have access to restaurants, cinemas, sporting facilities within the areas of the teaching practices?
  • Are there churches, mosques, temples in the teaching practice areas?
  • What kinds of community groups are available to me and my family?
  • What other recreational opportunities area available close to the teaching practices?

Where to find information:

  • Regional training provider (RTP) - you can contact the RTPs directly and ask any questions you have about general practice training, such as what particular challenges and opportunities you may expect; or you can view their websites, and/or contact them by telephone or email.

(The AGPT website at www.agpt.com.au shows a map of Australia. You can click on a region in the map and you will be directed to the regional training provider in that area)

  • Local Tourist Information Centres - you can obtain various brochures, local maps etc.
  • Local council websites - you can do a search on the internet to find out information about a particular region or area.
  • Internet Searches - Go to www.google.com.au and type in the name of the region + 'tourist information' or 'information centres'. E.g. 'Dubbo + information centres' then click on the 'Google Search' button. (This should bring up several relevant web pages for you to look at).