27 GP Registrars Selected for Research into Key General Practice Challenges
12 Nov 2026
The selected doctors will work with universities on research projects for 12 months while continuing their clinical training. Their work will explore a range of topics, including doctors' mental health, the use of artificial intelligence in patient care, support for international medical graduate registrars and healthcare in rural communities.
Research into remote healthcare training
One of the successful applicants is Dr Hayley Fancourt, who will work with Charles Darwin University.
Her research will examine the experiences of GP registrars completing remote placements in the Northern Territory.
Dr Fancourt grew up in Queensland, studied medicine in Canberra and later moved to the Northern Territory for her internship.
Her interest in general practice grew through her medical training, as she enjoyed working across different areas of medicine and wanted to care for patients and families throughout their lives.
A remote primary care placement helped her understand both the benefits and challenges of working in remote communities.
She observed how GPs managed emergencies alongside everyday patient care, while remote area nurses and Aboriginal Health Practitioners played important roles in supporting local healthcare.
She also witnessed challenges such as overcrowded housing, food shortages, language barriers and limited access to specialist hospital care.
These experiences led her to explore how registrars can receive better clinical and cultural support when training in remote areas.
Her research aims to identify the strengths of remote training and ways to encourage more doctors to work in these communities.
Study explores GPs' role in public advocacy
Another recipient, Dr Jasmine Davis, will research the experiences of GP registrars and vocationally registered GPs involved in public advocacy.
Her project will look at what encourages doctors to speak publicly, the challenges they face and the support they need to take on advocacy roles.
Dr Davis has worked in several parts of Australia, including Echuca, Magnetic Island and Bargara. Her interest in advocacy grew after becoming President of the Australian Medical Students' Association in 2022.
During her work, she saw doctors take part in public discussions, media interviews, political advocacy and community communication during emergencies.
She became interested in understanding what motivates GPs to take on these responsibilities, how prepared they feel and whether mentorship helps them.
Her research will also examine the personal and professional challenges involved in public advocacy.
Dr Davis hopes the findings will help improve support for future GP advocates and recognise their contribution to the medical profession.
The full list of the 27 successful registrars and their research projects is available on the RACGP website.
27 GP Registrars Selected for Research into Key General Practice Challenges
Source: RACGP– newsGP.