Rural Resources - For Health Professionals and Health Consumers

Australian Doctors International (ADI)

Looking for a change in your life that can make a difference in the lives of others? Volunteer to work in Papua New Guinea. Australian Doctors International (ADI) needs volunteer doctors with an interest in tropical medicine, women’s health, paediatrics and sexual health. You should be motivated to practice in a place where a doctor’s life is not only a challenge, it’s an adventure. ADI Flyer - pdf

Online professional development opportunities for rural health professionals

Breast cancer in the family - what does it mean? is a NEW online module by Cancer Australia, available in October 2012. Developed in collaboration with the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, it addresses the importance of assessing a family history of breast and ovarian cancer in your patients, and identifies risk-reducing strategies for women who are found to be at increased risk.

Utilising innovative online technology, Cancer Australia is increasing opportunities for general practitioners, nurses and other health professionals working in rural Australia to access information about the latest advances in evidence-based breast cancer treatment and care without the need to travel.

Registration is free- access education now

DoctorConnect.gov.au

DoctorConnect has been produced by the Department of Health and Ageing to provide a starting point for both overseas trained doctors (OTDs) who may be considering work in Australia and for employers seeking to recruit them.

For more information, visit www.doctorconnect.gov.au

Links to State Patient Travel Assistance Schemes

All jurisdictions have a Travel Assistance Schemes for use by patients in particular circumstances.  If you have to travel to receive treatment or are being referred to a health professional away from your home district, be sure to ask your local GP, hospital staff or health centre for details about your eligibility for support.

You can find some information about the provisions of the scheme in your State or Territory through the following links.

NSW - http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/initiatives/iptaas/

NT - http://www.health.nt.gov.au/Hospitals/Patient_Assistance_Travel_Scheme/

Qld - http://www.health.qld.gov.au/iptu/html/ptss.asp

SA - http://www.countryhealthsa.sa.gov.au/Services/PatientAssistanceTransportSchemePATS.aspx

Tas - http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/ambulance/ptas

Vic - http://www.health.vic.gov.au/ruralhealth/vptas/

WA - http://www.wacountry.health.wa.gov.au/index.php?id=203

Rural Health Workforce Australia

Seachange, Treechange, Lifestyle Change...

This series of short documentaries (approximately 5 minutes) provides the opportunity to hear directly from GPs who have made the shift to rural or remote practice. They and their partners share their motivations, challenges and rewards in honest and candid portrayals.

GP Lifestyle Change - Rural Health Workforce Australia

Rural Scholarships

There are many scholarships available to assist health professionals who want to work in rural or remote Australia.

Below is a list of links to some of these scholarships.

Rural Australia Medical Undergraduate Scholarship (RAMUS) Scheme 
Rural Health Continuing Education Stream 1
Rural Health Continuing Education Stream 2
HECS Reimbursement Scheme 
John Flynn Placement Program 
Medical Rural Bonded (MRB) Scholarships 
Rural Allied Health Undergraduate Scholarship (RAHUS) Scheme 
Allied Health Clinical Placement Scholarship Scheme (AHCPSS) 
Australian Rural and Remote Health Professional Scholarship (ARRHPS) Scheme 
Rural and Remote Undergraduate Scheme (Nursing) 
Continuing Professional Education Scheme for Rural and Remote Nurses 
Aged Care Nursing Scholarship Scheme: Undergraduate 
Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme 
Rural Pharmacy Scholarship Scheme 
PhD Rural Health Research Scholarships

Doctors4theBush

Charles Sturt University (CSU) submitted a detailed proposal to the Federal Government to gain support for the establishment of an Integrated Health and Medical Education Precinct in Orange, and a Medical and Health Services Precinct in Bathurst. The proposal aims to provide medical and health training for students and boost the number of health professionals for regional Australia and redress the shortage of doctors in the bush.

Doctors4theBush

Frontier Services

Caring for the people in the Outback - Video

National Relay Service

The NRS an Australia-wide telephone access service provided for people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment. It is also available to anyone who wants to call a person with such an impairment.

You can make calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

National Relay Service Homepage

Brief Guide to Nursing in Rural and Remote Settings

The National Rural Health Alliance has produced a 'Brief Guide to Nursing in Rural and Remote Settings' to help both the employers of nurses and nurses themselves with the key incentives for nursing in non-metropolitan areas.

Hardcopies of the guide are also available from the Alliance.

Various written materials (submissions, policy papers etc) relating to the Alliance’s work on nursing can be found in Projects Section of this website.

e-hub online mental health programs

The e-hub research and development group is based at the Australian National University and provides free and anonymous online mental health services that are rigorously researched and based on the best available scientific evidence.

http://www.ehub.anu.edu.au

NSW Rural Doctors Network

The NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) provides support for a continuing and high quality rural medical workforce in New South Wales (NSW).

http://www.nswrdn.com.au

Australian Medicines Handbook

Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH) is an essential reference for medical practitioners, pharmacists, nurses and nurse practitioners, dentists, students, hospitals, aged care facilities and any health practitioner with an interest in the quality use of medicines. We publish in book (hard copy), PC/Mac and handheld/mobile formats and also produce two Drug Choice Companions for,  Aged Care and Emergency Care.

AMH provides concise, practical, reliable, comparative drug information to promote the quality use of medicines in Australia. Our content is extensively researched and peer reviewed.

AMH is independent of both Government and the pharmaceutical industry. Our editorial staff are all qualified pharmacists or medical practitioners. Our Editorial Advisory Board and reviewers include many of Australia's most eminent authorities in medicines-related fields.

For more information, to view our complete product range or to purchase visit http://www.amh.net.au/