Finding balance as a Mum and GP

For GP registrar Dr Courtney Rasmussen, general practice training in the Wide Bay region has provided the perfect blend of a rewarding clinical career and the work-life balance she was looking for as a mum.

Dr Rasmussen was born and raised in Bundaberg, living there her entire life until moving to undertake undergraduate medical training in Newcastle. As her training progressed, Dr Rasmussen found herself drawn to a career as a GP because of the broad scope of practice it offered.

“As a GP you never know what kind of case is going to come through the door, which is exciting and daunting at the same time. You must have the knowledge and clinical expertise, but you also have to be prepared to be the first line of support for the patient. You are their advocate; you reassure patients they are not alone in the health issue they are facing,” Dr Rasmussen says.

Always intending to return home to the Wide Bay region, Dr Rasmussen began the Queensland Rural Generalist Pathway immediately after completing her medical degree. Currently practicing at Burrum Street Medical Practice in Bundaberg, Dr Rasmussen has enjoyed the balance of clinical autonomy and a supportive environment.

“Rural general practice involves a lot of problem-solving. Here you don’t often get ‘textbook cases’, so it’s quite interesting going through the process of putting the medical history and all the factors together and working with your patient to get the best outcome.

“My supervisors are so supportive. They have been GPs in this region for a long time. So, you are drawing on both their clinical expertise and their understanding of the community. My supervisor is the ‘open door policy’ type which has been very positive to have someone you can call on!” Dr Rasmussen says.

As a mum of an energetic toddler, Dr Rasmussen says the flexibility offered in a career in general practice, compared to other medical specialties, was also particularly important.

“For me, there was no way that I would be able to manage working as a doctor in a hospital-based specialty with a toddler. I don’t think other specialty colleges would be able to facilitate this to the extent that the GP colleges do. The practice I work for has been able to facilitate a day off during the week and they’re really supportive when things come inevitably up as a mum,” Dr Rasmussen says.

As a local, Dr Rasmussen knows there are many enticing reasons to live in Bundaberg, describing it as a perfectly sized town with plenty to do and see.

“I think we are incredibly lucky here in Bundy. It is not too big or too small and we have decent access to shops and some great cafes. There are so many great tourist attractions around. You are 10 minutes or so from the beach and you can go down to Mon Repos to watch the turtles in nesting and hatching season. On the weekend I sometimes take my daughter out to Tinaberries for some strawberry picking. They make their own ice cream which is extremely popular!”

“Returning to Bundaberg has just been a beautiful experience.”

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