Rural Coach Grants Recipient Reports
Dr Amanthi Mendis
It was a great experience to attend my first (of many) Provincial Surgeons of Australia Conference this year. The conference for me was a walk down memory lane as Toowoomba Hospital was the place where I had done my first surgical job as an intern on the general surgical unit. It was wonderful to see how the service had grown over the years. It was inspirational to meet surgeons and surgeons in training from across regional Australia and to listen and learn from their experiences. As a PHO, I found the management updates from experts in the field very helpful for my future practice and learning.
My biggest take home message was that rural surgery whilst extremely rewarding still has many challenges to overcome. One of the main challenges included recruitment and retention. It was interesting to learn about the inter-state rural training hubs and plans of how these can be replicated in other regions. The conference allowed me to gain a broader perspective of how GSA and RACS are taking initiative to improve this. It made me reflect and realise that even as a junior doctor how providing positive and meaningful experiences in rural areas for more junior colleagues and medical students has the potential to create impactful change for the future of rural and regional Australia. I hope that at the next PSA that we will be able to see the impact of the implemented initiatives.
Dr Christopher Shean
In early September I had the pleasure of attending the wonderful PSA conference in Toowoomba. The crisp morning air that greeted me at the pre-conference TCBDE workshop reminded me of my childhood in Canberra. I had a wonderful time at the conference, which was opened by a lovely talk by Damian Fry the scientific convenor, who talked to us about his connection to rural Australia both through his childhood in country NSW as well as his time in country Queensland during his time in the Army as well as during surgical training and now as a consultant. This close connection to rural Australia and the relationships that we build in these smaller towns/cities is part of what drives me to want to become a regional general surgeon in Australia. There was a large breadth of topics discussed, which were both informative as well as inspirational, but a particular highlight for me was the talk by Glenn Guest which outlined the success they have had in Victoria conducting a rural training hub. Through ongoing hard work within my GSET training I hope to one day be able to contribute to both the service provision of surgical care as well as the ongoing training and development of regional general surgeons; this has been a big goal of mine for a long time and the PSA conference was inspiration and gave me further fuel to continue this work. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make this conference a reality!
Dr Thi Hoai Trang Nguyen
I travelled to Toowoomba in Queensland for the first time in September to attend the PSA ASC 2024 conference. Beyond my expectation, Toowoomba welcomed me with its peaceful and laid-back atmosphere in addition to its thriving art works and charming colonial-era architecture. Above all, I was impressed with the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the conference. The educational program was an exceptional three-day event offered lectures and discussions on a range of surgical topics applicable for both metropolitan and rural surgery but highlighted the difference and challenges with rurality. I was inspired by Dr Kevin Hung’s talk about his experience with robotic surgery as a rural general surgeon and the discussion regarding the future of robotic surgery in rural setting among delegates. Although the advantages of robotic surgery are precision and magnified vision, robotic surgery in rural setting is still a challenge due to the need for adequate infrastructure, specialised training for medical staffs and high cost of running. The poster and oral presentations were also very informative with a lot of high-quality projects which gave me multiple ideas on what I could do for my current and next rotations. Furthermore, I am also grateful for the opportunity to connect and to develop a supporting network with other colleagues and rural surgeons through social events at the PSA conference. Overall, PSA ASC is a wonderful experience which I would highly recommend for anyone who is interested in rural health or general surgery.
Dr Noor Naqeeb
The Provincial Surgeons of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting was held in Toowoomba in 2024. As my first PSA experience, it did not disappoint. Escaping the rainy and cold Victorian “spring” to the sunny beautiful Queensland was just what the surgeon ordered!
As a junior GSET1 registrar in a regional hub, the scientific program offered a broad range of what rural surgeons and trainees would encounter. Each of the talks was stimulating, educational, and highlighted the challenges encountered by the rural surgeon. The conference was a fun experience, it allowed me to meet some exceptional inspiring surgeons who shared their experiences and insights into rural surgery and training. It was also a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with old colleagues, and meet new ones.
The brilliant scientific program was accompanied by a dazzling social program. There was something fun to do each night of the conference! The highlight for me was the inspiring guest speaker at one of the social events, Professor John Pearn. His talk on the history of medicine and surgery in Australia was sensational, but listening to his stories and insights was even more moving. And he is so humble and a pleasure to speak with.
The PSA ASM 2024 experience was motivating and invigorating. It reinforced my love for rural surgery, and motivations to bridge the healthcare gap between rural and metropolitan areas. Toowoomba was a great choice for the PSA, I will definitely be going back with my family to explore the area.
Dr Pranav Divakaran
The PSA 2024 was an excellent event. It allowed me to connect with past and current mentors from across Australia as well as the opportunity to forge new friendships with like minded attendees. This conference was a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the evolution of rural and regional practice across Australia and was also an excellent avenue to find out about future consultant positions. Apart from the conference itself, Toowomba was in full bloom, with sunny days and tulip filled gardens. Having now nearly completed training I am excited to gain future experience as a fellow and hope to continue to attend and support this meeting of regional surgical practice.
Dr Maddie Gramlick
I am grateful to have received a Rural Grant, which enabled me to travel from the NSW Central Coast to attend the PSA 2024 conference in Toowoomba, QLD. The conference had a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, with plenty of interactive sessions. I particularly enjoyed the sessions from speakers outside general surgery, such as the “You can’t ask that” session on paediatric surgery for the regional surgeon, and updates from local gastroenterologists and anaesthetists.
The highlight for me was meeting surgeons from all over the country, especially those working in regional areas. The social program was a fantastic way to do this. As I plan to build a career as a general and specialist surgeon in a regional area, I found these conversations invaluable. I’m very grateful for the support I received to attend the conference, and I’m excited to take what I’ve learned and apply it to my future work in regional surgery.
Dr Ashish Vaska
As someone with a longstanding interest in a regional surgical practice, attending the PSA meeting has been on my to-do list for several years and I was glad to be able to make it up to Toowoomba. As promised, PSA was a great opportunity to reconnect with previous supervisors and colleagues and hear from both trainees and surgeons working across varied regional, rural and austere settings.
The topics covered were broad and I particularly enjoyed the mix of clinical, research and systems development presentations over the course of the meeting. In particular, the primers on urological, ENT, and orthopaedic/hand emergencies for general surgeons were very helpful and a reminder of how broad the practice of general surgery outside metropolitan centres can be. The session on paediatric surgery was particularly helpful in thinking about the importance of the health eco-system that supports delivery of high quality care. This knitted in well with presentations on developing rural training hubs, trauma and breast surgery units and models of the Acute Surgical Unit. Research presentations addressing the barriers to recruiting junior doctors to general surgery and delivery of clinical care including outcomes in breast surgery, and management of splenic injury continued to reinforce this message.
Ultimately, it was encouraging to attend PSA and spend time with clinicians that are invested in ensuring high quality care is delivered to those living outside our metropolitan centres, supported by research and audit, and actively working on recruiting and equipping trainees to meet this need into the future.
Dr Lash Wickramasuriya
Attending the 59th Provincial Surgeons of Australia (PSA) Annual Scientific Conference in Toowoomba, the beautiful city of flowers, was a highly enriching experience. The conference brought together an incredible mix of rural and metropolitan surgeons under the aptly named theme “When City Meets the Bush.” The programme was diverse, encompassing a variety of sessions tailored to the challenges of rural surgical practice and as a trainee was an enlightening learning and networking opportunity.
The scientific programme covered key surgical areas and one of the highlights for me was the opportunity to engage in thought-provoking discussions that truly resonated with my own practice. One particularly memorable session was the “Hernia Repair in Provincial Regions” breakfast masterclass, which addressed complications unique to rural surgery settings. In addition, the panel discussions on multi-centre audits and trauma systems provided valuable insights into improving rural healthcare delivery.
But beyond the science and surgery, what made this conference truly special was the social aspect of the conference, which was equally fulfilling, offering opportunities to network during events such as the welcome reception at the picturesque Preston Peak Winery and the gala dinner at Bergen Restaurant. These settings fostered camaraderie among attendees while allowing us to reflect on the broader context of rural surgical practice.
Overall, the conference was a unique blend of educational content and professional networking. It reinforced the significance of rural surgery and showcased the benefits of close collaboration between rural and metropolitan surgeons to enhance patient care.
Dr Alexandra Zalums
I attended my first PSA ASC in Toowoomba, QLD as a PGY-3 general surgery SRMO (pre-SET) in September and had a fantastic experience. I was welcomed warmly to the conference and displayed my poster in the presentation hall, waiting patiently and anxiously for my opportunity to present during the quick-shot poster presentation round. Despite not knowing a single person in attendance, I was reminded of the friendly nature of rural surgeons and their infectious zest for life. The quality and variety of speakers at the PSA ASC was extraordinary. From hearing about general surgeons in Albany WA managing orthopaedic emergencies, to innovative local skin flap solutions to complex skin lesion excisions, I certainly left day 1 brimming with excitement for what was still yet to come. I was impressed by the quality of research presented by peers just a few years more senior than myself. I came to appreciate the relevance of local, rural-based research conducted in rural centres like Toowoomba because it considers the complexities unique to a rural setting. One memorable example was the application of Magseed in pre-operative localisation of non-palpable breast lesions rather than traditional hook-wire localisation, and the benefit this had on women who would otherwise have had to travel numerous hours, likely stay overnight away from family, and only be able to be on an afternoon operating list. The inspiring and educational academic program was well-supported by the social program, for which I personally participated in the trivia night, and our team became the proud owners of a wooden spoon… I can’t wait for my next PSA ASC!
Dr Jeffrey Lai
The PSA ASC 2024 was a great experience. It was a privilege to hear from passionate and dedicated rural surgeons who provide essential care to communities in need. After spending the past couple of years in Albany, this experience has deepened my interest in rural surgery, and the insights from the conference only reinforced that passion. It was also a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with former colleagues and make new connections, especially considering the vast distances many of us work across.
The discussions on tackling the shortage of rural surgeons across Australia were particularly interesting. Topics ranged from training doctors regionally to strategies for attracting and retaining medical professionals in rural communities, helping them establish roots. The data shared by the South-West Victoria general surgery training program was especially promising. It’s also clear that the challenges of rural surgery extend beyond the surgeon, it requires a dedicated team, making it a challenge that everyone in rural healthcare must work together to address.
I highly recommend the PSA ASC to anyone interested in surgery and rural healthcare.