Anaesthetics
Rural Generalist Anaesthetists (or GP Anaesthetists, known as GPAs) provide a range of Anaesthetic services to rural and regional Victoria. GPAs practice a diverse scope depending on the needs of their community. This may include Anaesthetic services for Obstetrics, General Surgery and Emergency. Launched in 2023, the Rural Generalist Anaesthesia Training Program is a joint initiative of ANZCA, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) to deliver the education, training, and assessment of rural general practitioners and rural generalists providing anaesthesia services in rural locations.
Emergency Medicine
By its nature, Emergency Medicine has considerable overlap with a number of other specialist disciplines, particularly Anaesthetics, Surgery, Orthopaedics, Internal Medicine and Paediatrics. Acute aspects of most disciplines have relevance to the Emergency Medicine. While all Rural Generalists develop skills in Emergency Medicine during their training, the RG Advanced in Emergency Medicine expands those skills and enables RGs to confidently manage and lead teams in larger Urgent Care Centres or sub-regional and some regional Emergency Departments.
Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Rural Generalist Obstetricians are a core component of providing safe and efficient services to rural women and babies close to home. This training equips RGs with the skills needed to enable the delivery of high quality health outcomes for women in rural and regional Victoria. Both RACGP and ACRRM recognise the RANZCOG Advanced Diploma as the end point qualification for this skill.
Mental Health
Mental health is a particular priority due to the major burden of mental illness in rural and remote communities, combined with the scarcity of specialist mental health services in these regions. For these reasons, rural and remote General Practitioners often provide vital frontline and extended mental health care services. Rural Generalists with Advanced skills in Mental Health are able to provide a broader and deeper scope of mental health care to their communities, both in primary care and the public hospital system.
Paediatrics
Paediatrics forms a large percentage of presentations to General Practitioners and Rural Generalists in both rural and remote settings. A Rural Generalist with Advanced skills in Paediatrics has the ability, knowledge and skills required to provide a higher level of Paediatric care to their communities. This care may include providing inpatient Paediatric services, supporting Obstetric and emergency services, plus filling the gap in community services where there is limited access to specialist Paediatricians. It is recommended by both RACGP and ACRRM that trainees completing Advanced training in Paediatrics also undertake the Sydney Child Health Program.
Palliative Care
Palliative Care is an important specialty area for rural and remote General Practitioners. As growth in older populations continues to rise the end-of-life care needs of communities is increasing. Rural Generalists with Advanced skills in Palliative Care are able to provide both inpatient and community-based Palliative Care services to their communities. Both RACGP and ACRRM recommend that trainees undertaking this advanced skill also obtain the RACP Diploma in Palliative Care.