2.1 Strategies to increase
skills through rural vocational training
The ‘extended generalist’ component of rural
general practice requires specific residency training programs for rural practice
which prepare new medical graduates for a career in the country. Such programs
should ideally be provided in regional centres or rural areas.
Strategies
2.1.1 Flexible, integrated and co-ordinated competency based
training should be provided for rural doctors through vocational training, upskilling
and CME programs for rural practice developed by or in association with rural
doctors. With an emphasis on vertical integration
2.1.2 Appropriate vocational and continuing medical education
is an essential component of strategies to recruit and retain rural doctors.
Doctors who are well trained in rural practice stay in rural practice, particularly
if they are able to use their skills and are supported to retain their skills
with continuing education programmes designed to be relevant and accessible.
2.1.3 Specific rural practice vocational training programs
should:
- be needs driven, evidence based and learner
centred
- have appropriate faculty, hospital and financial
support
- provide particular emphasis on training in procedural
skills and an appropriate core curriculum of rural practice in addition to a
solid general practice foundation
- provide a major portion of training within the rural
context
- provide the opportunity and funding for advanced rural
skills training in emergency medicine, anaesthesia, surgery, procedural
obstetrics, endoscopy, palliative care, rehabilitation and others skills
necessary in rural areas
- should be coordinated so as to avoid
duplication
- provide opportunities for mainstream general practice
trainees to experience the joys and challenges of rural general
practice.
Additional skills acquisition
should be complemented by a GP appropriate system of recognition and
credentialing.
- Community service programs must have a training element
that is adequately supported
- Incentives should be available to those doctors who choose
vocational training in rural practice
- Upskilling/retraining programs should be available to
non-rural doctors, spouses unexpectedly finding themselves in rural practice,
and doctors following a prolonged break in service
- To facilitate the global sharing of vocational training
curricula.