Embedded in Outback Community

From medical students to mentors leading primary health care in the small outback town of Barcaldine, rural generalist doctors Priscilla and Welwyn Aw-Yong exemplify the impact you can make working in, with, and for a rural community.

When the Aw-Yongs were deciding where to pursue their GP training, a second-year JCU medicine rural placement in Barcaldine came straight to Priscilla’s mind.

“I got a very positive impression of Barcaldine in the four-week placement, so that’s what we applied for,” Priscilla says. “Just seeing how the practice was run and watching the doctors and the way they work; they were relaxed and approachable to us students. I think that’s what drew us to Barcy (Barcaldine).”

The couple moved to Barcaldine in 2018, quickly becoming embedded in the community and advanced in their training and careers. With plenty of training and development opportunities on offer in rural settings like Barcaldine, it wasn’t long before positions in medical education and hospital leadership positions came their way.

The broad scope of practice is a major drawcard for GP registrars who choose to train in rural Queensland. Rural GPs see a wide range of presentations, perform a range of procedures and provide other services to improve the overall health of rural and remote communities.

Welwyn loves the diversity of his combination of roles. “Barcaldine is the type of place where you have to think on your feet. Sometimes there might not be anybody else; you can’t just refer them ‘down the road’,” he says. “You do all these investigations and emergency procedures yourself, particularly as you get into advanced skills training. You have this really broad scope of practice and that is very rewarding.”

The broad scope of practice as a rural GP is complemented by a focus on building long-term relationships with patients.

 “One of the best things about being a rural generalist is that you care for your patients through a whole journey. When they’re well, having a check-up at the GP clinic, when they’re unwell, and often looking after their families, parents and children. That’s a big part of what I think is amazing about GP,” Priscilla says.

General practitioners who stay longer-term in a town like Barcaldine are providing the community with something it desperately longed for in its access to a GP: stability.

“When we arrived in Barcaldine, one of the first questions you get from patients is ‘How long are you going to stay here?’. Then it was ‘I’m surprised you’re still here’. It goes to show these rural towns get used to doctors leaving,” Welwyn says.

“I think our biggest need is having doctors willing to stay on a more permanent basis. We haven’t had many who left in our time here, which is good. It makes a big difference when your patients see you here for a longer time, putting down roots in the community.”

By pursuing GP training in a rural setting, as the Aw-Yongs have done, doctors discover supportive and close-knit communities.

“People work together and feel passionate about the town, and that draws you in,” Priscilla says. “Coming from big city backgrounds, we’ve been struck by how friendly everyone is here. People actually stop to say g’day here, even if you don’t know them. It’s very easy to meet people in Barcy.”

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