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GP Recruitment, Retention & Orientation
Our aim is to maintain a sustainable existence from a clinical and social point of view for new GPs, registrars and Parallel Rural Community Curriculum (PRCC) students.
Working with and empowering communities to accept responsibility in looking after their GP family is critical in a time of workforce shortages and more importantly to the existence of small rural and remote communities
One third of our medical workforce now consists of International Medical Graduates, so it is critical to plan and continue support to the needs of the GP and their family in these small rural communities.
Support and mentoring for RACGP Exams is another aspect of clinical support for newly arrived GPs and this is provided in a number of various pathways.
During the orientation process a number of important issues will be discussed and there will be the opportunity for GPs to sit in on consultations; witness procedures; visit the Accident and Emergency Department and the hospital; talk to other GPs.
Once the GP arrives, the GP Network is very actively involved in the Orientation process, and along with the practices and key stakeholders within the communities the orientation begins on a number of levels ranging from the support needed on a clinical, practice, social and community base. No one orientation is the same.
Our Workforce Officer offers on-going support and continues this assistance for the family during the settling in period which varies enormously. This is a very exciting time for all concerned and we get to meet some fantastic people and have the honour and privilege of helping them through a very stressful and challenging time in their lives.
The Network sees Orientation as the beginning of a hopefully long and rewarding association with the GP and their family. The next step being the long term retention of these families to our Division thus the ongoing relationship is one we hold in high esteem.
It is vitally important that any newly recruited doctor and their family are given access to a well designed orientation process to assist them in settling in to their new community and work place.
GP Recruitment & Retention
GP workforce shortages and an ageing GP population continue to place increasing demands on medical services and are impacting severely on the availability of medical services in rural communities.
The GP Network is actively involved in supporting practices and working collaboratively with communities and health services to recruit and retain general practitioners.
Succession planning is essential in enabling GPs to consider their future needs and planning for that work life balance. We are actively encouraged to identify, plan and prepare for the future needs of medical services.
Support and mentoring for RACGP Exams is another aspect of clinical support for newly arrived GPs and this is provided in varied pathways.
The network works closely with other GP organisations such as the Australian Medical Association, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, state based organisations, Australian General Practice Network, Rural Doctors Workforce Agency (of South Australia), Rural Doctors Association of SA, Flinders and Adelaide Universities and affiliated training organisations.
We work collaboratively with Flinders University and practices with third year medical students who spend their entire clinical year working with two specific medical clinics and general practitioner supervisors
Our aim is to recruit, retain, redesign, research relationships and reinforce rural workforce solutions.
Contact: Cynthia Nicholson
| Resources | |
 GP Orientation Guide | downloads: 161 | type: pdf | size: 1 MB |
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