"My plan from day one of medical school was to become a Rural Generalist. I grew up in a little town in Western Australia, and prior to that I don’t believe I had ever met a doctor who wasn’t an RG," Kyle reflects.

"I want to treat people, not just parts of those people. Rural medicine is truly great because you become a part of peoples’ lives and it gives you the opportunity to really get to know them. You become involved in the entire community. You are a part of the good times and the bad, as tough as that might be. But every day you get to have a laugh, to listen to a yarn, to show some kindness and invariably get offered to be taken fishing - one day I just might go," Kyle says.

"Every day as an RG is a new challenge and one filled with rewards.

When I reflect on why, it is quite simple, the whole reason I decided to practice medicine was because, despite our many flaws, I think people are just fantastic. I do not want to treat hearts, or livers, or ears or bones… I want to treat people!"

"Rural medicine has allowed me to become a part of a community, a real part of these peoples’ lives, and really given me the opportunity to get to know them, and to help them live healthier lives," Kyle says.

Dr Kyle Fairclough is a Fellow of ACRRM with advanced skills in emergency medicine. Find out more about training to Fellowship on the AGPT Program.