Destination Medicine Podcast
Medical
Opportunities for a successful medical career in rural Australia are immense. The Destination Medicine© podcast library has been created to assist anyone who has thought about a career as a rural doctor to make informed decisions and navigate a rural medical pathway with greater confidence.
Each episode of this podcast series brings the story of a doctor and their journey into rural medicine. It hasn't been a straight highway for many; there have been a few bumps, U-turns and bends along the way. How did a city slicker end up living on a farm in the Riverina of NSW? And what happened to the young doctor who had a life changing moment on an isolated highway in the Northern Territory? Well, you will have to listen to find out...and there's more.
With over 23 specialities, 81 fields of speciality practice and 86 speciality titles, making career decisions can seem overwhelming for medical students and junior doctors. For some it is an easy decision, having always known the area in which they want to work, however, for others, the plethora of information and complex selection and admission criteria for training, is daunting.
Our doctors share their candid and fascinating stories so that you, the listener, can have a better understanding of what's involved in pursuing a rural career pathway. Lifestyle counts - and for those who are living in rural and remote Australia, the impact is immeasurable.
The podcast series, 'Destination Medicine' is a collaboration between four rural NSW Regional Training Hubs - Far West, Riverina, Western and Northern NSW.
Location:
Australia
Description:
Opportunities for a successful medical career in rural Australia are immense. The Destination Medicine© podcast library has been created to assist anyone who has thought about a career as a rural doctor to make informed decisions and navigate a rural medical pathway with greater confidence. Each episode of this podcast series brings the story of a doctor and their journey into rural medicine. It hasn't been a straight highway for many; there have been a few bumps, U-turns and bends along the way. How did a city slicker end up living on a farm in the Riverina of NSW? And what happened to the young doctor who had a life changing moment on an isolated highway in the Northern Territory? Well, you will have to listen to find out...and there's more. With over 23 specialities, 81 fields of speciality practice and 86 speciality titles, making career decisions can seem overwhelming for medical students and junior doctors. For some it is an easy decision, having always known the area in which they want to work, however, for others, the plethora of information and complex selection and admission criteria for training, is daunting. Our doctors share their candid and fascinating stories so that you, the listener, can have a better understanding of what's involved in pursuing a rural career pathway. Lifestyle counts - and for those who are living in rural and remote Australia, the impact is immeasurable. The podcast series, 'Destination Medicine' is a collaboration between four rural NSW Regional Training Hubs - Far West, Riverina, Western and Northern NSW.
Language:
English
Email:
rth@be.com.au
Episodes
Lizzie Del Gigante discovers the rewards of rural medicine – experience and research
4/30/2024
What’s it like to decide to sit the GAMSAT and apply for medicine from another career? And is regional life really what it’s cracked up to be? Student Doctor Lizzie Del Gigante can provide some insights. In this episode, Lizzie shares her journey from radiography, reflecting on the diverse opportunities within healthcare. Her experience working closely with ED doctors and orthopaedic registrars sparked her interest in continuous patient care, ultimately leading her to pursue medicine. Lizzie discusses the supportive environment of rural clinical schools like Orange, highlighting the benefits of one-on-one teaching and community engagement. She also talks about her research project on rural placements, revealing encouraging trends of graduates returning to rural areas for specialist roles.
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Duration:00:13:48
The power of mentorship – Dr Nathan Blake’s call to psychiatry
4/16/2024
Nobody could convince Dr Nathan Blake to live and work in the city. He says a regional life is much “easier”. Not just because it is easier to get around, but because it is easier to work closely and learn more from your teachers, and because the cost of living is so much lower, making it financially easier for trainee doctors with potential student debts.
In this episode of "Destination Medicine", Dr Blake shares the story of his journey into medicine, shaped by his childhood experiences on a farm during a drought and encounters with dedicated GPs. He reflects on his rewarding rural placement in Dubbo, highlighting the sense of community and unique learning opportunities. He discusses memorable moments in his career, the benefits of rural medicine over metro placements, and offers valuable advice for medical students considering a career in regional areas.
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Duration:00:17:36
Doctor-in-Training: The makings of a great GP — Dr Joe Harris
4/2/2024
Dr Joe Harris is living his dream, with a deep connection to regional Dubbo. In this episode, Joe shares the story of how his career has moved from childhood dream to rural reality. He reflects on the mentors who guided him, the challenges and rewards of rural practice, and his decision to train with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Joe's commitment to Dubbo becomes apparent as he describes the vibrant community, the close-knit relationships with patients, and his aspirations to stay and work as a dedicated GP in this welcoming city. It’s a compelling invitation for doctors seeking a fulfilling career in regional Australia.
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Duration:00:18:07
Dr Rebecca Irwin — Growing roots and doing rounds in Central West Queensland
3/19/2024
Dr Rebecca Irwin has planted her flag in the town of Barcaldine in Queensland’s Central West, and it’s here she intends staying. As a rural generalist based at Barcaldine Hospital, she can’t imagine she’ll want to move.
In this episode, we follow Dr Irwin’s indirect path to medicine, and the impact a nursing degree had in her subsequent choices. She sheds light on the highlights and challenges of her medical training, particularly the shift from general to paediatric medicine, her rural placements, and the invaluable support received throughout her journey. She also describes her current role at the hospital, providing a unique blend of primary and emergency care, the fulfillment found in her daily interactions with the community, and balancing work and family life in this vibrant rural setting.
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Duration:00:19:15
Student Series: From scrubbing pots to scrubbing in – Jean-Baptiste Philibert’s journey to medicine
3/5/2024
Hailing from a remote island in the Indian Ocean, Jean-Baptiste Philibert (or J.B. to his friends) has had a unique journey to into medicine. In this episode of Destination Medicine, J.B. leads us through the story of his experiences after arriving in Australia, from being a chef and tour guide in central Australia to finding his calling in medicine.
While discussing the challenges of clinical placements in regional settings, J.B. describes the sense of belonging and variety of experiences they offer, as well as the profound impact community engagement can have on personal growth and confidence. From the competitive application process to overcoming imposter syndrome, J.B. has plenty of advice for aspiring medical students.
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Duration:00:18:54
Dr Peter McInerny — Prescribing purpose
2/20/2024
From dreaming of being a pilot to becoming a rural doctor with an enormously diverse skill set, Dr Peter McInerny has had an inspiring medical journey. In this episode he discusses the pivotal moments that led him to choose rural medicine, the challenges and rewards of general practice, and the personal qualities essential for success.
With anecdotes ranging from being the town vet to delivering babies and administering anaesthetics, Dr McInerny’s career is a great example of the unique and fulfilling opportunities available in regional and rural medicine. His insights and advice offer valuable guidance for anyone considering a medical career.
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Duration:00:19:00
Student Series: From Karratha to Oxford — Kas Mann’s blend of culture, compassion and clinical excellence
2/6/2024
Growing up in a blended family and exposed to various walks of life, Kasarina (Kas) Mann is a proud Indigenous woman with an inspiring story. In this episode, Kas describes a journey that has seen her move from formative years in remote and rural parts of Australia to studying at Oxford University and beyond.
From supporting her sister through pregnancy to facing the challenges of her father's terminal cancer diagnosis, Kas’ personal experiences have shaped her perspective on healthcare.
This episode delves into her academic journey, including a major international study tour and studies in clinical embryology. Kas describes the cultural considerations in choosing a medical pathway and the unique clinical experiences gained in regional settings.
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Duration:00:22:25
The Accidental Generalist: Dr Kayla Mizzi, Manjimup WA
11/21/2023
Born and bred a city kid, Dr Kayla Mizzi has transformed into a passionate rural generalist working in the tiny town of Manjimup in Western Australia’s far southwest. In this episode, we follow Kayla on her journey to rural medicine as she switched almost at the last moment from veterinary science, to medicine driven by a desire to connect with people.
She describes the rewards of rural medicine, emphasising the importance of creativity, resourcefulness and a willingness to embrace challenges. A multifaceted rural generalist, Kayla’s roles include working in the emergency department, serving as an admitting doctor, and practicing as a GP. She also contributes to medical education and research, promoting rural medicine as a fulfilling career.
Dr Mizzi encourages aspiring doctors to pursue rural generalism early in their careers, emphasising the unique opportunities in smaller communities for personal and professional growth.
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Duration:00:19:05
A/Prof Kerin Fielding - a life of many passions
11/7/2023
It was in the midst of her idyllic country childhood that Associate Professor Kerin Fielding decided to become a doctor — particularly a surgeon. Now a Visiting Medical Officer at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital, Prof. Fielding is a prominent orthopaedic surgeon, the first woman in NSW to qualify as one and only the third female president of the Royal Australiasian College of Surgeons. In this episode she also describes her other great passion. A Paris-trained cordon bleu pastry chef, Prof. Fielding also runs her own patisserie. She shares insights into her experiences in rural medicine, the rewarding moments she's encountered, and the importance of mentors in her career. Prof. Fielding also highlights the significance of work-life balance in a rural setting and offers valuable advice to aspiring doctors.
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Duration:00:19:43
Student Series: “Aim for the stars and keep your options open” - Marni Mcfarlane
10/24/2023
A devoted medical student who was raised in a tiny, tight-knit community, Marni McFarlane is living her dream in outback NSW. In this episode, Marni shares her journey from a rural upbringing on the Eyre Peninsula to pursuing a career in medicine. She didn't initially consider becoming a doctor until a teacher mentioned it, and she decided to take the leap. Marni talks about her pathway to medical school, her challenges with financial support, and the importance of achieving a work-life balance. She highlights the value of keeping your options open and speaks lovingly about living and working in Broken Hill. With a heart firmly rooted in the country, Marni hopes to return to her rural community one day and help address the shortage of doctors there.
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Duration:00:11:26
Dr Nadee Assiriyage – Medicine, Mates and Mojitos
10/10/2023
Dr Nadee Assiriyage was always going to be a Doctor. As a little girl growing up in Sri Lanka she went everywhere with her own ‘doctor’s kit’ so she was always available to perform emergency surgery on her dolls. In this, often humorous, episode, we follow Dr Assiriyage on her inspiring journey from South Asia to a medical school in Adelaide, and then her newfound life in regional Whyalla. A passion for rural medicine is evident as she shares her experiences, from finding her place in a tight-knit community to her unique role as the Director of clinical training in her new forever home. She also offers terrific advice to junior doctors keen to embrace the versatility and close patient relationships a regional position can bring.
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Duration:00:16:43
Doctors-in-Training: Dr Ian Carey – being part of the bigger picture in Broken Hill
9/26/2023
Broken Hill, with its wide-open spaces and desert sunsets, is certainly Dr Ian Carey’s ‘happy place’. Dr Carey's journey to medicine was influenced by his parents, both doctors, and his early experiences living in Alice Springs. However, it was a transformative overseas health internship that ignited his great passion for medicine. Driven by a desire to make a difference, he pursued a unique pathway to medical school, eventually finding himself in the outback NSW town that he loves. He shares the challenges and rewards of practicing rural medicine, highlighting the close-knit community and the sense of purpose it offers. Ian believes that rural medicine isn't just a job; it's a way of life. His story is an inspiring one for any student or junior doctor considering a career in rural, regional, or remote medicine.
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Duration:00:14:05
Prof Tara Mackenzie — Breathing life into rural medicine
9/12/2023
Professor Tara Mackenzie is an important, and influential, figure in the rural health ecosystem. As Associate Dean of Rural Health at UNSW, and a consultant respiratory physician with 17 years of experience in Wagga, Professor Mackenzie has a deep understanding of rural and regional clinical practice. In this episode she shares her journey into medicine and highlights the diverse and rewarding aspects of respiratory medicine. Prof Mackenzie emphasizes the importance of choosing a career path that aligns with your passion and reminds us that it's okay not to have all the answers early in your medical career. Dr. Mackenzie’s commitment to rural healthcare is evident as she discusses her love for Wagga and its close-knit and welcoming community.
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Duration:00:25:30
Student Series: George Kirolus — A dedicated journey to rural medicine
8/29/2023
Medical student George Kirolus was sold on medicine as a youngster, when, with wide eyes, he watched the calming impact his GP father had on a family with a sick child. In this episode, George shares his journey to medicine via a rural student pathway. He discusses how medicine's combination of diagnostic skills, teaching opportunities, and community impact have resonated with him, and have been a fulfilling result of a challenging application process. He emphasizes the value of balance between study and well-being, especially in the context of being fit and able to provide empathetic patient care. George also outlines the advantages of a rural lifestyle, including a strong sense of community, easier commutes, and reduced costs of living.
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Duration:00:13:17
Student Series: Rees Telford - Finding Medicine as a Destination
8/15/2023
Rees Telford is a medical student on a mission to encourage others to study and work in regional and rural Australia. Growing up in Cairns and later studying on the Sunshine Coast, Rees describes how his interest in medicine was sparked while at high school by his desire for a constantly evolving career. Rees, who is the first in his family to go to university, discusses how he lucked into a valuable role as a medical scribe in an emergency department. He also delves into his third-year research project, which focuses on this podcast's impact on promoting rural general practice. Rees's recommendations for making the podcast more accessible highlight his commitment to encouraging medical students to consider rural medicine. He emphasizes the importance of work-life balance and advises listeners to maximize their life outside of medicine.
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Duration:00:13:48
Doctors in Training: Dr Senny Surendran — scoring goals in a regional paradise
8/1/2023
Lismore-based Dr Senny Surendran is a junior doctor whose path to medicine was certainly unconventional. A passionate young sportsman who started out as a physiotherapist, Senny's life took unexpected turns, including time spent teaching and playing hockey in The Netherlands and working on the Canadian ski fields. But a desire to contribute more to society led him to medical school. As a mature-age student, he faced challenges, but found his feet and made lots of new friends at the University of Wollongong, which focuses on regional, rural and remote health. Now settled in Lismore with his family, Senny enjoys the regional lifestyle, and is grateful for the opportunities to learn and grow as a doctor in a regional paradise.
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Duration:00:20:41
Student Series: Helen Smith — living and loving a local lifestyle
7/18/2023
Helen Smith had been a pharmacist for 17 years when she decided to take on a medicine degree. But with an aversion to cities and a family firmly entrenched in regional NSW, studying in a rural area was her preferred option. In this episode, Helen offers insights into the application and selection process — emphasising the importance of thorough preparation — and highlights the advantages of working in the rural area that she loves close to her family farm outside of Dubbo. And she encourages other mature-age students to apply because life experience can help make you a better student, and a better doctor.
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Duration:00:19:37
Dr Kerrie Stewart — The best of both worlds
7/4/2023
A country girl with a passion for caring for both people and animals, Dr Kerrie Stewart says being a rural GP affords her the best of both worlds. Not only is she raising her young family on a small farm, but she gets to work in a busy job that she loves with all the choices and benefits a city GP would enjoy. Living in and working in vibrant Parkes, NSW, Dr Stewart describes the countless avenues available to rural GPs for growth, research, leadership, and mentoring, as well as how she builds meaningful relationships with her patients and colleagues.
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Duration:00:23:11
Student Series: Suzanne Hill — For the love of community
6/20/2023
After a 20-year career in radiography, Suzanne Hill moved to Parkes in NSW and had something of an epiphany. Relocating to regional Australia with her young family, Suzanne realised the best way to serve her community — and her own ambitions — was to embark on a degree in medicine. Suzanne talks about the challenges she has faced as a mature age student and mother but also about how she’s finding fulfilment by engaging with the community and forming meaningful connections with people in an environment that she loves.
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Duration:00:22:07
Doctors in Training: Dr Dayna Duncan — Living her Centralian dream
6/6/2023
Dr Dayna Duncan started out pursuing psychology, but when a local GP questioned her choice, she decided to try medicine and hasn’t looked back. Growing up in a small town but studying in Sydney, Dr Duncan soon found herself outside her comfort zone. But that was just the start of a remarkable journey. Thanks to a family connection in Central Australia, she decided to try Alice Springs, and soon found herself working for a unique patient population, providing healthcare in remote settings, and making a meaningful impact on the health of underserved communities.
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Duration:00:17:48