Registrar Rural Rotation Recollections
Dr Casey Wadwell
Casey is currently training in a rural pathway with GP Synergy New England/Northwest.
Why did you decide to become a GP?
Being a generalised specialist really appealed to me - not doing the same thing everyday, getting to follow patients from cradle to grave rather than just seeing them when they have one particular health problem. I love getting to see the whole picture – my patient’s health plus their background situation.
What do you enjoy about being a rural GP?
Being a rural GP is great. In the country we don’t have as easy access to hospitals or large medical centres so I get to see a wide range of presentations. Supervisors in the country are also often really attentive and make a really big effort to look after you. Everyone is also really friendly.
What are some of the challenges of being a GP?
In rural areas access to services can take time, such as for chest x-rays & ultrasound results. Immediate access to specialized services such as psychologists and diabetes education can also be a challenge.
What’s your current training practice/s like?
I am currently working across two practices and both are great. One is kind of like a boutique General Practice which privately bills and here I see lots of women’s health. The other is bulk billed and I think because of this we see a much broader scope of presentations and different types of patients.
What types of patients do you see?
An enormous range!!
In a typical week, what types of cases would you treat?
I see a lot of chronic illness – COPD, asthma, diabetes. I also see a lot of women’s health, mental health (particularly care plans), lots of paediatrics as well as more common ailments.
What do you think makes a good Supervisor?
Someone who wants to know how you are doing on a daily basis, interested in the cases you see and interested in you as a person – your life inside but also outside work. I regularly go out socially with my work colleagues. I also think a good GP Supervisor requires a wide range of abilities - not just clinically related.
What kind of in-practice teaching do you receive?
The teaching is great at both practices. I receive 1 hour dedicated teaching from each practice involving cases and discussion. Both Supervisors have also recently sat in my consultations for 3 hours to see how I was getting along.
Would you recommend General Practice as a career to others?
Absolutely! The lifestyle and pay is really attractive as a GP. There is a real misconception that GP’s don’t get paid well, but I work part-time and make a really good wage. I’m not under stress from being a GP as I have a good balance between work and life. I think General Practice is a great package deal. Every day is challenging and interesting and each day I learn new things and ways to approach and solve problems.