Media Release
A unique national GP training program that enables doctors to gain their specialist qualification in General Practice – while living and working as a doctor in a rural or remote community – will benefit dozens of communities across Australia in 2021, including Macleay Island in Queensland’s Moreton Bay Marine Park.
Dr Valerie Tan is among 32 doctors who will be training with the Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS) this year.
Funded by the Australian Government, RVTS delivers General Practice and Rural Generalist training for medical practitioners in First Nations, rural and remote communities throughout Australia.
Dr Tan is working at Macleay Island Medical Centre, while continuing her training under RVTS’s Remote Stream.
“The beauty of the RVTS model is that our doctors don’t need to leave their communities to undertake their training” RVTS CEO, Dr Pat Giddings, said.
“This means they can continue to provide the essential, quality local medical care that their communities need, while still completing their specialist training and gaining access to the latest advances in rural General Practice.
“It really is a win-win situation for the doctors and their communities.”
RVTS has been training doctors for over 20 years, and in that time has supported more than 400 doctors who have delivered primary health care in over 300 rural, remote and First Nations communities.
Under the RVTS training model, doctors access the latest evidence-based learning via intensive workshops, online training, webinars, and regular interaction with experts in the field.
Dr Tan said the benefits of working and training as a doctor under the RVTS training model were significant.
“RVTS's remote training program suits me perfectly in working towards my specialist GP qualification” she said. “I have a young family and the alternative option of moving to a new posting every six months to access training would not have been ideal. I also love the rural island community in which I am working, and the added bonus is that we have a wonderful view!”
Ends
RVTS is fully funded by the Australian Government.
Further information is available at www.rvts.org.au