RACGP Road Trip Gives Registrars a Taste of Rural Medicine
31 Oct 2025
The two-day trip, held on 28–29 October, took registrars from Dubbo to Condobolin, including stops in Wellington, Parkes, and Forbes. Associate Professor Kerrie Stewart, RACGP Regional Director of Training for Western NSW and the ACT, said the tour was a vital part of efforts to boost the rural GP workforce. “If we can increase registrar numbers in the bush, they’re more likely to stay long-term and provide care for these communities,” she said. She also urged state and local governments to offer incentives to attract GPs to rural and remote areas.
The road trip provided registrars with immersive learning experiences, including sessions with the Dubbo Royal Flying Doctor Service, a clinic tour at the Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service, and networking and small group learning activities. Registrars developed skills in cultural awareness, clinical adaptability, and understanding how access to healthcare varies across regions.
The program also aims to strengthen professional networks, showcase the support available to rural GPs, and demonstrate how registrars can live, work, and learn in regional and remote communities. Around 80–90 registrars are expected to seek training placements in Western NSW next year, supported by RACGP programs including the Fellowship Support Program, Practice Experience Program – Specialist, and Australian General Practice Training.
Associate Professor Stewart said the road trip was “incredibly valuable” for both education and networking, reinforcing the college’s commitment to supporting the next generation of rural GPs.
Source: newsGP
