Rural Generalists (RGs) are medical specialists who have completed training in rural generalist medicine. They have specific expertise to provide medical care for rural, remote, and isolated communities as well as provide specialised medical care in at least one additional discipline.
RGs, who are usually community based, provide person centred, long-term continuing care for all members of the community. As they are often the first point of contact for patients when ill, they manage a broad range of illnesses and conditions as well as promoting preventative practices.
The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) is accredited by the Australian Medical Council for setting professional medical standards for training, assessment, certification and continuing professional development in the specialty of general practice. They train and support aspiring and experienced rural General Practitioners and Rural Generalists to provide the highest quality care for their communities.
Training is undertaken at posts that are accredited health services in which the registrar trains, under supervision, to meet the ACRRM training program requirements. ACRRM training posts are in primary, secondary, emergency and retrieval services. A training post may be a single health service or several health services.
Advanced Skills Training expands your professional scope and can include clinical privileging in hospitals, access to additional Medical Benefits Scheme item numbers as well as contributing to and expanding the pool of medical services in rural and remote communities. Having advanced skills is an essential component of being a Rural Generalist.
There is one training pathway to becoming a Rural Generalist with ACRRM, and attaining a FACRRM, however there are different funding sources and eligibility criteria.
The Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program provides up to 1500 Australian Government-funded training places every year. Registrars who complete the program can work unsupervised as a GP or Rural Generalist anywhere in the country. ACRRM registrars can complete their training in various contexts within regional, rural, and remote practices or can remain in the same community for their entire training.
Completion of AGPT training can lead to registration with the Medical Board of Australia as a Fellowship of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (FACRRM)
Independent Pathway (IP) is a supported and flexible training pathway with a comprehensive and structured education program, developed and delivered by experienced Fellows of ACRRM.
IP enables you to work directly with ACRRM staff and Medical Educators to craft a training plan to suit your career goals, to negotiate your own training placement and manage your own learning experience. On the Independent Pathway, you are not restricted by Commonwealth funding requirements and policy.
Rural Generalist Training Scheme (RGTS) is a supported and flexible training pathway with a comprehensive and structured education program, developed and delivered by experienced Fellows of ACRRM. The scheme enables you to work directly with ACRRM staff and Medical Educators to craft a training plan to suit your career goals, to negotiate your own training placement and manage your own learning experience.
The Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS) is a flexible vocational pathway for general practice training focussed on rural, remote and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Trainees are supervised remotely via a flexible distance education model which allows them to remain within their community.
The ACRRM application process consists of:
Key intake dates and information regarding training pathway applications can be found on the ACRRM website.
The Specialist Pathway leads to Specialist registration in the specialty of rural generalism with the Medical Board of Australia and Fellowship of ACRRM (FACRRM). Doctors who have ACRRM-recognised overseas specialist qualifications in general practice or family medicine, may apply for assessment by ACRRM on the Specialist Pathway.
For more information on General Practice training and employment opportunities in the NT, please contact:
Flinders NT Regional Training Hub
Rural Generalist Pathways Northern Territory
Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM)
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
South Australia | Northern Territory
Global | Online
CRICOS Provider: 00114A TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12097 TEQSA category: Australian University
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