Rural general practice

In Australia, general practitioners (GPs/family phsyicians) based in rural areas may be required to provide services that would normally be dealt with by medical specialists because of the workforce shortage in those regions. For example, they may need to provide obstetrics care, anaesthesia services, minor surgery and, for serious accidents, management of severe trauma.

Rural communities value their GPs very highly and provide a warm welcome. The varied roles and responsibilities of rural GPs also provide a high level of job satisfaction.