The AMA has recognised in its submission to the Australian Medical Council on the Recognition of Rural and Remote Medicine the valuable contribution of the medical workforce in rural and remote areas. The AMA submission highlights the particular challenges faced by rural and remote practitioners, including long hours and high workloads, and the fact that the skills they acquired during vocational training are often utilised to quite different extents to their metropolitan counterparts. The submission also recognises the needs for rural and remote practitioners to often extend their skillset.

To assist rural and remote doctors there are a range of existing programs that have been developed by medical colleges, which are being delivered on a co-operative basis. The AMA believes that these afford rural and remote doctors a significant degree of choice and allow them to access training based on the health needs of their community.

Much of the procedural work carried out by rural and remote practitioners is rebated under Medicare at the same level as specialists performing the work. The AMA strongly supports the principle that where rural and remote practitioners deliver more complex procedures they should be remunerated accordingly.

In calling for submissions, the AMC identify several criteria that any application for specialist recognition must satisfy. In preparing its submission, the AMA had significant regard to the guidelines set down by the AMC.

AMA Submission is attached.