Vol 39, (1/2) 53-56
Where are they now? The career paths of the Remote Vocational Training Scheme registrars
Susan Wearne BM, MMedSc, FRACGP, FACRRM, MRCGP, DCH, DRCOG, DFFP, GCTEd, is Medical Educator, Remote Vocational Training Scheme, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Educator Development, Flinders University Rural Clinical School, and a general practitioner, Alice Springs, Northern Territory.
Patrick Giddings MBBS, DRANZCOG, FRACGP, FACRRM, is CEO and Senior Medical Educator, Remote Vocational Training Scheme, Albury, New South Wales
Jeanette McLaren BSc(Hons), GradDipEduc, GradCertBusAdmin, is Operations Manager, Remote Vocational Training Scheme, Albury, New South Wales
Catherine Gargan MBBS, is a junior doctor and previous research assistant, Remote Vocational Training Scheme, Albury, New South Wales.
BACKGROUND The Remote Vocational Training Scheme trains doctors in remote communities using distance education and supervision.
AIMS To document the training location, outcomes of training, current location and services provided by program graduates and assess the effectiveness of their training.
RESULTS Twenty-four doctors graduated from the Remote Vocational Training Scheme program. Registrars provided over 44 years of clinical service in very remote areas during training. Of those working in Australia, 17 out of 21 (81%) still work in rural areas and 20 (95%) gained dual qualification of Fellowship of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine and Fellowship of The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Registrars evaluated the program as effective preparation for clinical practice.
CONCLUSION The first medical specialist training program in Australia and comparable western countries to use remote supervision achieved its targets of increasing retention of the rural and remote workforce during and after training.
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Where are they now? The career paths of the Remote Vocational Training Scheme registrars (323KB)
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