Rural Tour Introduces Future GPs to Regional Healthcare
14 Oct 2026
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) held its annual Rural Round Up on 13–14 October across Dubbo, Wellington and Warren in regional New South Wales. The event gave registrars, junior doctors and medical students a closer look at rural general practice through local health service visits, practical learning and discussions with healthcare teams.
Participants learned how rural doctors manage challenges such as staff shortages, long travel distances and limited resources while providing care to local communities. The programme also included visits to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services, highlighting the importance of culturally appropriate, community-led healthcare.
RACGP Rural Chair Associate Professor Michael Clements said the programme helps doctors consider training and working in areas they may not have previously explored. He also shared his enthusiasm about attending the Dubbo session with his daughter, who is a first-year medical student.
RACGP Regional Director of Training Associate Professor Kerrie Stewart said the experience allows registrars to understand how local needs shape healthcare delivery and how medical teams work together in regional areas.
The RACGP uses the initiative as part of its broader efforts to encourage more doctors to consider rural careers and help address workforce shortages across regional and remote Australia.
Rural Tour Introduces Future GPs to Regional Healthcare
Source: newsGP / Royal Australian College of General Practitioners