Carmichael Gavin J, Kovoor Joshua G, Stretton Brandon, Beath Alexander, Kefalianos John, Tyagi Daksh, Bentley Connor, Bacchi Stephen, Jacobsen Jonathan Henry W, Chan Weng Onn, Gupta Aashray, Zaka Ammar, Nann Silas D, Luo Yuchen, Marshall-Webb Matthew, Jacob Mathew O
University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Grampians Health, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia.
Aust J Rural Health. 2025 Jun;33(3):e70053. doi: 10.1111/ajr.70053.
This commentary aims to address the critical shortage of surgeons in rural Australia and propose the development of a sustainable rural surgical training pathway. By examining current healthcare disparities and workforce challenges, it highlights the need for locally trained and retained rural surgeons to improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare inequities.
Rural Australians experience significant healthcare disparities due to geographical isolation, lower socioeconomic status and limited availability of specialist care. The current model relies heavily on patient transfers to metropolitan centres, which are costly, logistically challenging and unsustainable. Current surgical training programmes offer some rural exposure; however, they remain metropolitan-centric, resulting in fewer surgeons practising in rural areas.
A dedicated rural surgical training pathway is proposed to address this gap. It would focus on selecting candidates with a demonstrated commitment to rural practice and provide tailored training, mentorship and guaranteed rural placements. Training must align with the specific healthcare needs of rural communities. Additionally, initiatives like the rural health equity strategy and regional training hubs must be supported by structural changes in the selection process to prioritise rural trainees.
Addressing the shortage of rural surgeons is essential to improving healthcare equity. A rural surgical training pathway can aid in long-term retention of surgeons in rural areas. This model supports both healthcare and economic sustainability, aligns with national rural health strategies and fosters stronger community connections. Investing in rural surgical training is a critical step towards reducing healthcare disparities and building a more resilient rural health system.
本评论旨在解决澳大利亚农村地区外科医生严重短缺的问题，并提出制定一条可持续的农村外科培训途径。通过审视当前的医疗保健差距和劳动力挑战，强调需要培养并留住当地农村外科医生，以改善健康状况并减少医疗保健不平等现象。
由于地理隔离、社会经济地位较低以及专科护理服务有限，澳大利亚农村地区居民面临着显著的医疗保健差距。当前模式严重依赖将患者转诊至大城市中心，这成本高昂、在后勤方面具有挑战性且不可持续。当前的外科培训项目提供了一些农村实习机会；然而，这些项目仍然以大城市为中心，导致在农村地区执业的外科医生数量较少。
提议设立一条专门的农村外科培训途径来填补这一空白。该途径将侧重于选拔对农村医疗实践有明确承诺的候选人，并提供量身定制的培训、指导以及有保障的农村实习岗位。培训必须与农村社区的特定医疗保健需求相匹配。此外，农村健康公平战略和区域培训中心等举措必须得到选拔过程中结构变革的支持，以优先考虑农村实习生。
解决农村外科医生短缺问题对于改善医疗保健公平至关重要。农村外科培训途径有助于长期留住农村地区的外科医生。这种模式支持医疗保健和经济的可持续性，符合国家农村健康战略，并促进更紧密的社区联系。投资农村外科培训是减少医疗保健差距和建立更具韧性的农村卫生系统的关键一步。
