Frequently asked questions

There are a number of benefits to undertaking your training in a rural setting:

• More access to one on one supervision
• Train to full scope of practice in a supported environment
• Greater exposure to hands on tailored training to your individual needs
• Greater breadth and depth of skill development
• Contextualised skill development
• Development of your clinical courage and acceptance of clinical uncertainty,
• Greater awareness of your limits in clinical practice and how to marshal resources to meet clinical demand

Rural generalists play an important role in our rural communities. Being a rural generalist means:

• Practicing social accountable medicine
• Having flexibility and variety of practice
• Broader scope of clinical practice
• Integration in the local community
• Development of clinical courage from a sense of belonging to a rural community including acceptance of clinical uncertainty, knowing the limits of your clinical practice and ability to contextualise and marshal resources to meet clinical demand

The RGPSA program is still under development but currently supports individual career navigation, guidance and planning your rural generalist journey. The RGPSA has been working to increase the number of intern and PGY2+ rural training positions but also offers access to advanced skills training for PGY3+ and Fellowed GPs and will soon be implementing grants to support skills consolidations positions.

From January 2022 you will need to sign up to join the RGPSA and in addition to the above further supports will become available including greater access to mentors, education and training programs across rural locations, regular networking and events for a rural generalist community of practice and alumni membership with ongoing professional development opportunities and networking.

Contact Us if you would like to know more about signing up to the RGPSA.

This is an individual decision and either college will result in you achieving a rural generalist end point. Each college provides information on their websites about their training pathways with application for each college typically undertaken during the internship year or after.

If you would like to discuss each option, consider speaking with your senior colleagues, GPEx or our RG Clinical Lead and Clinical Advisors on their experiences.

ACRRM

RACGP

Advanced skills training positions are advertised through the SA MET website in line with PGY2+ positions. Visit our advanced Skills training page for key dates and links. In special circumstances other AST positions may be considered, contact the Rural Generalist Coordination Unit to discuss your needs and available options for AST positions.

Rural generalist salary depends on the level of training, experience and the way a GPs actually works in Australia i.e. salaried, locum or contracted.  Other factors include allowances and penalties in addition to your base rate of pay.

As individual contractors general practitioners bill Medicare for the fee according to the type and number of consultations, with a percentage paid to the practice as a service fee. As contractors, GPs are also responsible for paying their own tax and superannuation.

As a salaried medical officer pay rates are governed by the SA Health Salaried Medical Officers Enterprise Agreement 2017. This agreement is being renegotiated in the first quarter of 2021. Visit SAMOA for updates on the current EBA renegotiation.

Further information:

Potential rebate increase for rural general practice – Jan 2020

You can apply for ACRRM or RACGP during or anytime after, your internship year.