Media release
Supporting Rural Specialists
Access by rural specialists to peer support and to continuing professional development (CPD) programs are significant factors in their decision to practice in rural areas, according to an article published in the latest edition of the Medical Journal of Australia
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The Support Scheme for Rural Specialists (SSRS) was established to improve this access.
Study co-author and former National Program Director of the SSRS, Mr Gary Disher, says there are well-documented geographical, financial, social and professional barriers to CPD and peer support for rural medical practitioners.
Under the SSRS – established by the Committee of Presidents of Medical Colleges and funded by the Federal Department of Health and Ageing Office of Rural Health – funding is available to specialist medical colleges and their faculties to develop, implement and evaluate short-term rural-specific CPD programs.
“Projects funded under the scheme have focused mainly on providing clinical and professional skills, or on strengthening systems for clinical improvement,” Mr Disher said.
An evaluation of the scheme by the Hunter Institute of Mental Health found several positive outcomes, including a decrease in professional isolation and increased access to CPD for rural specialists.
Mr Disher says there are still limitations to the scheme.
“Some colleges have expressed concern that there is an expectation that all colleges have comparable capacity and infrastructure to compete for program funds.
“In addition the 12 month project funding timeframe is too short to develop and implement CPD programs aimed at facilitating practice change.”
The Medical Journal of Australia is a publication of the Australian Medical Association.
The Support Scheme for Rural Specialists (SSRS) was established to improve this access.
Study co-author and former National Program Director of the SSRS, Mr Gary Disher, says there are well-documented geographical, financial, social and professional barriers to CPD and peer support for rural medical practitioners.
Under the SSRS – established by the Committee of Presidents of Medical Colleges and funded by the Federal Department of Health and Ageing Office of Rural Health – funding is available to specialist medical colleges and their faculties to develop, implement and evaluate short-term rural-specific CPD programs.
“Projects funded under the scheme have focused mainly on providing clinical and professional skills, or on strengthening systems for clinical improvement,” Mr Disher said.
An evaluation of the scheme by the Hunter Institute of Mental Health found several positive outcomes, including a decrease in professional isolation and increased access to CPD for rural specialists.
Mr Disher says there are still limitations to the scheme.
“Some colleges have expressed concern that there is an expectation that all colleges have comparable capacity and infrastructure to compete for program funds.
“In addition the 12 month project funding timeframe is too short to develop and implement CPD programs aimed at facilitating practice change.”
The Medical Journal of Australia is a publication of the Australian Medical Association.