12. Rural health

RH 1.1 Communicate effectively with other health professionals using available infrastructure
RH 2.1 Deliver quality care to a rural and remote community
RH 3.1 Promote health in the rural and/or remote community
RH 3.2 Undertake a range of public health roles
RH 4.1 Identify and ethically manage therapeutic boundary issues
RH 4.2 Address professional isolation
RH 5.1 Manage time and workloads

All medical practitioners require an understanding of what may be helpful for working in rural and remote environments, such as procedural skills and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, hospital work and population health. Knowledge of rural health is an essential part of preparing a GP for unsupervised practice anywhere in Australia. This curriculum will assist any GP to address the knowledge, skills and competencies helpful for unsupervised practice anywhere in rural Australia. 

Criteria 

1. Develops, maintains and reviews effective communication strategies for communicating with patients and other health professionals who are located remotely
2. Adapts communication to accommodate situations common in rural and remote areas, and maintains effective communication infrastructure relevant to the practice setting
3. Identifies appropriate modes of communication in the practice and the community
4. Links into existing networks of health professionals in rural and remote settings
5. Identifies, cultivates and maintains skills relevant to the practice and specific to community needs
6. Works effectively with patients who live in isolation
7. Demonstrates leadership in emergency situations
8. Liaises with emergency services to enhance preparedness to deal with emergencies
9. Develops and delivers health-promotion activities in the community to address identified risks
10. Establishes and sustains health-education and health-promotion networks
11. Implements strategies to minimise obstacles to accessing care
12. Works effectively with government and non-government organisations and the community to optimise health service provision
13. Manages public health risks according to various guidelines
14. Effectively manages any conflicts between personal and professional roles
15. Effectively communicates limits of role boundaries to patients, staff and community members
16. Regularly reviews and implements plans to meet professional learning and support needs
17. Supports and mentors colleagues in managing professional isolation
18. Sets up systems to optimise time management for the practice in a rural community with limited resources