Rural and Regional Workforce
Despite almost 30% of the Australian population living in regional or rural areas less than 10% of Specialist Plastic Surgeons work in these areas. Irrespective of community need, there is a large discrepancy between the metropolitan and regional, and rural Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (P&RS) workforce. This is not unique to the P&RS workforce. There is a longstanding recognition that the regional and rural health workforce must be better supported, better encouraged, and better retained in order to ensure regional and rural communities are not disadvantaged when compared with their metropolitan counterparts.
Read the guide here.
Specialist Plastic Surgeons Dr Mikko Larsen, Dr Alex Cameron, and Dr Jaeme Zwart discuss the Rural & Regional Surgical Program including some challenges and benefits of operating a practice in rural or regional Australia.
We also hear from RACS president A/Prof Kerin Fielding on the RACS Rural Health Equity Strategy. View the webinar here.
View the presentation here.
View the paper here.
Rural Surgery In Australia
Research on rural and regional surgery in Australia highlights several critical challenges and developments in providing surgical care to remote communities. Key issues include limited access to specialised surgical services, a shortage of skilled surgeons willing to work in these areas, and the logistical difficulties of providing comprehensive healthcare in geographically- isolated regions. Studies emphasise the importance of innovative solutions such as telehealth, mobile surgical units, and improved training programs tailored for rural/regional practice to bridge these gaps. Collaborative efforts between government, healthcare and educational stakeholders are crucial for enhancing the quality and accessibility of surgical care in rural and regional Australia. Additionally, policy reforms and financial incentives are necessary to attract and retain surgical professionals in these underserved areas, ensuring equitable healthcare for all Australians. Please find below a collection of reference articles published about rural and regional surgery in Australia.
Rural and regional surgery in Australia – articles 2019 to 2024
Rural and regional surgery in Australia – articles prior to 2019
Featured Stories
AJOPS Blog: Exploring rural and regional issues
Providing plastic surgery services in rural and regional areas of…
Continue reading
