KEEP IN TOUCH
(07) 3105 7800
Turrbal and Jagera Country
Level 4, 348 Edward Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
In remote and rural Australia, the birth of a child can present complex challenges—challenges that call for sharp clinical skills, confidence, and immediate action. For GP obstetricians working in low-volume, often isolated settings, staying current is not just important—it’s essential to safeguarding the lives of mothers and babies.
“When practitioners in rural areas are isolated and see fewer obstetric cases, there is an increased need to refresh and maintain competence in emergency management skills.”
Practising obstetrics in low-volume settings means some high-risk situations might only present occasionally. But when they do, the stakes are high. As noted by Dr John Hall, Western Director of Medical Services for the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service, “When practitioners in rural areas are isolated and see fewer obstetric cases, there is an increased need to refresh and maintain competence in emergency management skills.” From postpartum haemorrhage and shoulder dystocia to emergency surgical delivery, the ability to act decisively in a crisis can save lives. The reality is that, in rural practice, you don’t get to choose your moment—so being well-prepared for all of them matters.
Rural GP obstetricians play a vital role in sustaining maternity care outside metropolitan centres. While programs such as the Rural Procedural Grants Program, Health Workforce Scholarship Program and the Maternal and Child Health Uplift Program (MCHUP), help support ongoing professional development, the need for targeted, hands-on training remains pressing. Clinical simulations and practical case-based learning can help mitigate the risks associated with low case volumes by reinforcing familiarity with best-practice responses in time-sensitive scenarios.
Workshops focused on rural obstetric care—like the Advanced Procedural Obstetrics Workshop scheduled for 13–14 September in Cairns—aim to address this need. This face-to-face training reflects the realities of rural medicine, helping GP obstetricians stay confident, capable, and clinically current—no matter how isolated their practice. Early bird pricing is available until 20 June 2025, offering savings of up to $280. You can register via the button below.
Part of the Greater Doctors, Greater Communities initiative, this workshop empowers rural health professionals to deliver exceptional care—wherever they’re needed most.
