Life as a Rural GP: A Rewarding Journey in Western Australia
06 Apr 2026
Working as a doctor in rural Australia can be challenging, but for Dr Bianca Howard and Dr Luke Davies, it’s also incredibly rewarding. The couple now live and work in Broome, Western Australia, about 1,800 km from Darwin and 2,200 km from Perth.
‘One of the most rewarding things is that you’re not just caring for your patients, you’re looking after their families too,’ Dr Davies told newsGP. ‘You even see them socially in the community.’
Dr Howard, who grew up in the Kimberley, and Dr Davies, from Perth, met studying medicine and have built their careers together. They recently moved to Broome after five years at the Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service in Kununurra. Now, they work at the Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service, the first remote Aboriginal Medical Service in WA, opened in 1977.
Dr Davies says rural medicine is exciting because of its complexity and diversity, and it pushes doctors to think creatively due to limited resources. ‘You constantly ask, “What can we do as clinicians to help our patients?” and seeing the results is very rewarding.’
Dr Howard enjoys the variety rural medicine offers, managing conditions and cases rarely seen in cities. ‘You get to care for more complex patients and sometimes manage their care in consultation with specialists,’ she said.
She encourages anyone interested in rural medicine to try it. ‘Being away from family can be tough, but rural communities let you create your own support networks. The doctors and local people are really supportive, and there’s always something happening to help you build connections.’
For Dr Howard and Dr Davies, being part of these tight-knit communities makes rural medicine not just a career, but a lifestyle.
https://www1.racgp.org.au/
Source: newsGP