What’s it like being a doctor in a rural town? RCSWA Regional Training Hubs is inviting junior doctors and Rural GP Placement (RGPP) students from around WA to talk about their lives and aspirations.
RCSWA Port Hedland 2019 alumni Dr Josh Taylor is currently on rotation at Narrogin Health Campus as part of his Residency at Perth’s Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.
This is his story so far…
Where do you hail from?
I grew up on a mixed crop and sheep enterprise farm just East of Kojonup, about 3.5 hours South-East of Perth on the way to Albany. The farm is situated on Kaneang-Noongar country. My parents still live on and run the farm and I get a great deal of enjoyment from going back to help with harvest and sheep work when I get the opportunity.
What/who made you consider becoming a doctor?
My Mum initially encouraged me as a 17-year-old to sit the UMAT exam for direct entry into medical school, though at the time I wasn’t very inspired. A conversation and gentle encouragement from Dr Angus Turner on a visit to St George’s College in 2013 provided the initial spark to pursue medicine as a career.
Describe your training journey so far…
I completed a Bachelor’s Degree in commerce in 2016 before commencing post-graduate medicine at UWA. In my third year I was fortunate to be offered a place in the RCSWA program at Port Hedland where I received incredible teaching and rural medical experience.
After finishing my MD in 2020, I undertook my internship at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital which included a general surgery rotation at Geraldton Regional Hospital. The following year I was incredibly fortunate to be offered a Resident job working with Dr Turner and the Lions Outback Vision team on the Vision Van, providing outreach eye care services to rural and remote WA communities.
This year I am again working as a Resident at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, completing a rotation currently at Narrogin Hospital as part of the Community Residency Program.
What was it like shifting to a new town?
I really enjoy the whole experience of settling into a new country town. I’ve always found rural communities to be incredibly welcoming, and there is always something on offer if you are willing to throw yourself in. I appreciate the close working relationships you form with local hospital staff, the short drives to work and the endless opportunities to explore the hidden gems in the area.
Did the rural clinical environment match your expectations?
Every rural hospital tends to have its unique quirks, but they are all consistently supportive, friendly, and ripe with learning opportunities. Narrogin Hospital in particular has some fantastic practitioners and support staff who are always looking to ensure you are getting the most out of your time there.
What were the major differences you experienced in a rural setting versus metro?
The main differences I have experienced in rural hospitals compared to metro are the close working relationships you form with the staff, the opportunity to provide care for a variety of unique medical issues, and the ability to regularly work one-on-one with experienced consultant practitioners.
What does a typical week look like for you now?
Currently I am working in the Emergency Department three to four days and in a local GP practice one day per week. The shifts are mainly day shifts from 8-6pm. In the evenings I am usually catching up on research work or watching the footy. I train with the local hockey team on Tuesday nights at the state-of-the-art Narrogin hockey turf. On weekends I usually travel to Perth or to Kojonup to spend time with the family.
What sparked your interest in ophthalmology?
My interest in ophthalmology started during my RCSWA year in Port Hedland, where I received excellent comprehensive teaching on eye topics from our lead MC Dr Rob Whitehead. I also observed clinics on the LOV Vision Van when it visited the Pilbara throughout the year, where I was intrigued by the use of light in examinations and the various applications of imaging technology.
Image: Josh presenting a Grand Round in Narrogin on ophthalmology.
What is the best part of doing what you do?
I get a lot of fulfilment out of bringing high quality medical care to rural and remote areas of Western Australia, in particular from how grateful the people are for the provision of what should be a standard medical service for all Australians.
Do you have any professional mentors or people you look to for advice?
I hold a great deal of admiration for the drive and vision that Dr Turner and the LOV team have for improving access to eye care in rural and remote Australia, and particularly in closing the gap for eye health inequality between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. My recent experiences in Narrogin working with Dr Brendon Parmar and Dr Rhona Marques, along with other rural health practitioners, has provided plenty of inspiration for a career in rural health care.
Have you learnt any big life lessons going rural?
I think spending time in rural Australia provides excellent perspective to reconsider the things that are valuable to you, and to perhaps not take the ups and downs of everyday life too seriously.
If you could go back in time ten years, what advice would you give yourself?
If you enjoy the journey, the destination will usually take care of itself.
Where to next for you?
I plan to spend the rest of 2023 completing my rotations as a Resident at SCGH. Next year I have a position as a Service Registrar in ophthalmology to gain experience and build on my skillset with the aim of applying for training positions in the future. I look forward to seeking continued opportunities to practice in regional WA.
Our Regional Training Hubs team members live in all corners of WA and connect junior doctors and medical students with experienced mentors and professional development opportunities. Find out more at uwa.edu.au/rcswa/regional-training-hubs or email [email protected]