Rural Generalist Medicine Specialist Recognition

Overview

The Australian Government has initiated steps to commence the first stage of a National Rural Generalist Pathway (the Pathway), with funding announced as part of the 2019-20 Budget. The Pathway aims to improve access to medical practitioners for rural and remote communities, by providing doctors with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time. As part of the Pathway, funding is available for an application for recognition of Rural Generalist Medicine as a specialised field within the specialty of General Practice through the Medical Board of Australia (MBA). This is in direct response to a recommendation made by the National Rural Health Commissioner. The objectives of seeking recognition of Rural Generalist Medicine as a specialised field within the specialty of General Practice are to:* provide national agreement on the scope of practice for rural generalists;* provide appropriate recognition for the skills and knowledge of doctors who provide general practice, emergency medicine and one or more additional skills in rural and remote communities; and * establish agreed fellowship end-point qualifications.