Monash Rural Health has launched a new podcast that aims to increase rural Victorian's local access to medical professionals by encouraging more doctors to work in rural areas.
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Doctor What? Doctor Where? Stories of Rural Medicine in Victoria features doctors from rural and regional communities discussing their experiences.
Monash Rural Health head of school Robyn Langham said it was developed to showcase the opportunities rural medicine has and to dispel myths about living in regionally.
"This podcast aims to encourage medical students and junior doctors to consider rural placements by sharing the lived experiences of medical professionals and trainee or early-career doctors," Dr Langham said.
"Many rural communities have been affected by drought, bushfires and now COVID-19, all of which have significant health consequences and highlight the real need for medical professionals in these communities.
"When we face health crises, such as COVID-19, the shortage of doctors in rural communities is particularly felt. If a doctor become unwell during such time, the community's healthcare resources are additionally strained.
"Our research shows us that when students spend time in rural communities as part of their studies, they are more likely to want to live and work in rural and regional communities."
The podcast also highlights the diversity in medical career opportunities in rural and regional communities with each episode showcasing medical professionals working in public and private practice in a range of specialties.
The first eight episodes of Doctor What? Doctor Where? Stories of Rural Medicine in Victoria are available from any podcast platform.
For more information on the podcast visit www.monash.edu/medicine/srh/hubs/here-for-you/inspirational-stories