Throughout the year, the Rural Health West Workforce Solutions team worked with more than 180 medical practitioners to assist them to gain medical registration in Australia, find their first or next roles, or work towards gaining vocational registration.
The More Doctors for Rural Australia Program (MDRAP) is part of the Stronger Rural Health Strategy striving to improve the access and quality of primary care services across rural Australia.
MDRAP provides non-vocationally registered doctors with financial support, supervision and training to prepare them to join a college Fellowship program.
Throughout 2021 and 2022, Rural Health West worked with many doctors on MDRAP, with 16 participants accepted onto a formal GP training program during the year.
One of these GPs is Dr Yara Dr Mohamed is an Egyptian-trained doctor, who first made contact with Rural Health West in March 2020.
The Workforce Solutions team worked with Dr Mohamed throughout 2020 and 2021, supporting her to gain medical registration and find her first role in Australia at John Parry Medical Centre in Narrogin, where she commenced working in September 2021.
As Dr Mohamed had little prior general practice experience, MDRAP was an excellent option to prepare her for her new professional life in Australia.
Dr Mohamed was able to complete the MDRAP foundation modules prior to commencing work in Narrogin and also met with the Rural Health West team for a comprehensive orientation into
the Australian medical system.
Participating in MDRAP provided financial support to her supervisor Dr Alan Kerrigan, while Dr Mohamed completed one month under Level 1 supervision as she became familiar with Australian
general practice.
Through MDRAP funding, Dr Mohamed was able to pursue additional professional development in aged care, skin cancer and sexual health in order to build her skills and confidence in delivering a full spectrum of primary health care to the Narrogin community.
Supporting the families of health professionals, particularly those who are newly arrived in a rural community, is a critical aspect of long-term retention.
Rural Health West was also able to support Dr Mohamed’s pharmacist husband to gain accreditation with the Australian Association of Consultant Pharmacy through the Partner Education Grants program.
“The support available through Rural Health West, MDRAP and the staff at John Parry Medical Centre has helped me to feel confident in taking this next step in securing my professional future in Australia,” Dr Mohamed said.
“I’m very grateful for everyone who has welcomed our family and helped us to settle into our new community.”
Having found her feet within Narrogin, Dr Mohamed applied for the Practice Experience Program through the RACGP to work towards attaining Fellowship and commenced on the program in
April 2022.