This R U OK? Day, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) is encouraging Rural Generalists to look after the most important part of their medical kit — themselves.
Looking after their own wellbeing is one of the best things doctors can do to continue providing their rural, remote, and First Nations communities with high-quality healthcare.
To support them to be the best they can, the College has launched HEART, a new four-week online course designed by Rural Generalists for Rural Generalists, focused on building wellbeing, connection, and longevity in rural and remote practice.
ACRRM College Councillor and lead course designer Dr Emily Harrison says HEART was developed in response to the unique pressures faced by doctors working outside major cities.
“Rural Generalists are often geographically and professionally isolated, with limited supports.
This course helps them better understand themselves and the systems they work in, while also connecting Rural Generalists from across the country to strengthen support networks.”
Dr Harrison explains that many wellbeing programs focus mainly on individual strategies.
“HEART goes beyond that. “It looks at the systems and culture of medicine that affect Rural Generalists, the impact of interpersonal interactions, and the importance of recognising our own emotions and boundaries, and how these shape our wellbeing.
“It’s designed to empower doctors to thrive in their practice so they can continue to provide safe, quality care to their patients and the communities in which they live and work.”
Dr Harrison says R U OK? Day is the perfect reminder that the wellbeing of Rural Generalists underpins the wellbeing of rural, remote, and First Nations communities.
“When we look after ourselves and each other, we’re able to bring our whole selves to our work — and that’s when rural medicine is at its strongest.”
For more information or to register for HEART, please visit acrrm.org.au, or click here.
Looking after their own wellbeing is one of the best things doctors can do to continue providing their rural, remote, and First Nations communities with high-quality healthcare.
To support them to be the best they can, the College has launched HEART, a new four-week online course designed by Rural Generalists for Rural Generalists, focused on building wellbeing, connection, and longevity in rural and remote practice.
ACRRM College Councillor and lead course designer Dr Emily Harrison says HEART was developed in response to the unique pressures faced by doctors working outside major cities.
“Rural Generalists are often geographically and professionally isolated, with limited supports.
This course helps them better understand themselves and the systems they work in, while also connecting Rural Generalists from across the country to strengthen support networks.”
Dr Harrison explains that many wellbeing programs focus mainly on individual strategies.
“HEART goes beyond that. “It looks at the systems and culture of medicine that affect Rural Generalists, the impact of interpersonal interactions, and the importance of recognising our own emotions and boundaries, and how these shape our wellbeing.
“It’s designed to empower doctors to thrive in their practice so they can continue to provide safe, quality care to their patients and the communities in which they live and work.”
Dr Harrison says R U OK? Day is the perfect reminder that the wellbeing of Rural Generalists underpins the wellbeing of rural, remote, and First Nations communities.
“When we look after ourselves and each other, we’re able to bring our whole selves to our work — and that’s when rural medicine is at its strongest.”
For more information or to register for HEART, please visit acrrm.org.au, or click here.