Brisbane based general practice registrars travelled to St George, Surat, and Roma from 25–27 March as part of an RACGP program designed to showcase the realities, opportunities, and rewards of rural general practice.
Led by RACGP Senior Medical Educators Dr Mike Hurley and Dr Cindi Jackson, the registrars visited local hospitals, general practices, and community health services including St George Hospital, Goondir Health Services, St George Medical Centre, Surat Multipurpose Health Service, Roma Hospital, and Maranoa Medical Centre.
Education was a major focus of the trip, with registrars taking part in rural case discussions, sessions on skin cancer, sepsis and palliative care, and emergency medicine simulation training.
The excursion deepened their understanding of the scope of rural general practice, the importance of continuity of care and cultural safety, and how rural practice influences decision making and escalation of care.
RACGP Rural Chair Associate Professor Michael Clements said early exposure is essential to attracting the next generation of rural GPs.
"Rural training offers tremendous benefits, broader clinical experience, stronger continuity of care, and the chance to make a bigger impact in a tight‑knit community," he said.
"We want our registrars to see that firsthand."
The group also met local clinicians and community members and take time to enjoy the region, including dinner at the Western Queensland Spirit distillery.
Registrars flew into St George and returned from Roma, demonstrating that even remote towns remain accessible via commercial flights.
The program targets first semester registrars and aims to influence their 2027 training placement decisions, dispelling common myths about rural practice by highlighting the high-quality services, supportive teams, and rewarding lifestyle available in regional and remote Queensland.
Rural and remote communities make up 38% of Queensland's population but continue to experience poorer access to primary care and worse health outcomes, disease burden, and life expectancy. Strengthening the rural GP workforce is critical to addressing these inequities.
The RACGP acknowledges the support of the Western Queensland PHN, which has contributed funding for the trip, and the South West Hospital and Health Service, whose executive team has been instrumental in coordinating local site visits.
