Seachange, Treechange, Lifestyle change - Rural Health Education Foundation to screen documentary series on rural GPs
January 4, 2008The Rural Health Education Foundation will be broadcasting a new series of seven short (five-minute) documentaries featuring rural GPs. Commencing on Tuesday 29th January 2008 at 7.50pm, the Foundation is screening the series Seachange, Treechange, Lifestyle Change nationally through its Rural Health satellite network, Don Perlgut (Rural Health Education Foundation CEO) announced.
The Seachange, Treechange, Lifestyle Change series features seven stories of GPs who have successfully made the transition to work in rural and remote Australia. The series was produced by Rural Health Workforce Australia and directed by award-winning film maker Olivia Peniston-Bird.
The first program in the series features Dr Nicole Anderson in Smithton, Tasmania.
As Dr Marigold Jones explains in her program set in Margaret River, Western Australia (first screening on 11th March at 7.50pm): “I did a locum placement in the country and loved it so much, I decided to stay. I don’t miss the city – the traffic, the fumes and the pace of life. I’ve discovered a sense of peace here.”
As Dr Paul Collett expresses in his program (shot in Walgett NSW, first screening on 8th April at 7.50pm): “Remote practice is both challenging and enriching. It offers the opportunity to stretch your boundaries, get your own rewards and feel you’re achieving something. And you don’t have to be superhuman to do it.”
Other GPs featured in the series are:
- Dr Megan Cope, Katherine, Northern Territory (12th February)
- Dr Evan Markwick, Naracoorte, South Australia (19th February)
- Dr Emily Walsh, Warrnambool, Victoria (26th February)
- Drs Matt and Sue Masel, Goondiwindi, Queensland (19th March)
The GPs and their partners also explore the perceived barriers associated with working in the bush - barriers such as a heavier workload and lower remuneration. Indeed, these rural GPs have generally found a good work/life balance and remuneration.
In the past, General Practice in rural and remote areas has often been portrayed as demanding and challenging. As CEO of Rural Health Workforce Australia Dr Kim Webber explains, “There has been a barrage of material detailing the problems the rural and remote health workforce is facing. We are working to dispel the myths associated with rural practice and reduce the remaining barriers. Significant levels of funding and services are being offered to rural and remote health practitioners.”
For complete details of the Foundation’s program broadcasts, go to the Foundation’s timetable page.
For further information, contact the Foundation.