Outback Obstetrics: specialist skills and rural generalism

Eager to put his skills to best use, Dr Craig Acton relocated from Brisbane to the small Southwest town of Saint George to commence general practice training in 2020. Recently attaining Fellowship in 2023, Dr Acton has seen the impact of bringing specialised skills to the role of rural generalist and is well and truly settled into this beautiful Outback community. 

“I wanted an opportunity to use my skills to benefit a community, and I wanted to go remote,” Dr Acton says. “I have a strong background in obstetrics and gynecology, and I knew a place like Saint George could benefit from having these skills in town,” Dr Acton says.  

Dr Acton has praised the general practice training experience, saying that there has been a lot of flexibility in tailoring the program based on his experience and previous training.  

“They developed a program where I could complete pediatrics and emergency on rotation, essentially as a hospital internship, while doing general practice at the same time,” Dr Acton says. 

There have been plenty of opportunities for Dr Acton to put his new and existing skills to use. The South West Queensland region operates on a hub-and-spoke healthcare model, with Saint George as the primary healthcare hub servicing many surrounding communities.  

“If we did not have maternity services here people would have to travel up to four hours. We may only have about 30 deliveries locally each year, but it is part of that wider antenatal service provision which people really value.” 

“Providing care in the community; that’s a big win and being able to have that impact is very motivating as a doctor,” Dr Acton says. 

While Saint George may have a small population of around 3,000 residents, there is no shortage of diversity in hospital and clinic presentations. 

“There is such a wide breadth of experiences in acute and chronic medicine that allows for excellent training opportunities. You get everything from high-level emergencies to everyday cases,” Dr Acton says. 

Dr Acton says the advanced skills in general practice that would be particularly useful, and actively encouraged for registrars to pursue are anaesthetics, obstetrics, and emergency medicine.  

“There are plenty of opportunities to pursue your interests and develop useful advanced skills. If you can step out of your comfort zone, then Saint George would be a good place for you,” Dr Acton says. 

Off the clock, Dr Acton has embraced the Outback experience with a 7-acre hobby farm close to town.  

“It is a laid-back community. I love having a three-minute commute to work, instead of an hour and a half. I certainly see a lot more of my wife and kids now, which I absolutely love." 

While he has embraced the slower pace of country living, Dr Acton says there are still plenty of ways to keep active and make the most of the lifestyle. 

“The town is keen to get you involved in everything. I am president of the Triathlon Club, am involved in Little Athletics and Swim Clubs, and am a member of the pistol club. There are plenty of camping spots and always something to get involved in. There is just a really nice community atmosphere in Saint George.” 

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