Dr Heidiliza Cayari: A Legacy of Rural Service and the Confidence to Care

Health Workforce Queensland is committed to supporting rural health professionals through relevant, accessible, and high-impact education. The success of this year’s workshop series reinforces the critical role ongoing training plays in empowering rural clinicians and ultimately improving patient outcomes in remote communities.

To understand the real-world impact of our workshops, we spoke with Dr Heidiliza Cayari, a long-serving rural GP based in Beaudesert in Queensland’s Scenic Rim. With over two decades of rural practice and recent attendance at our Emergency Paediatrics and Rural Emergency Medicine workshops, Dr Cayari shares how these sessions continue to build her confidence, strengthen her clinical preparedness, and reinforce her commitment to rural healthcare.

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Location: Beaudesert, Scenic Rim (long-term practice)
Workshops Attended: Emergency Paediatrics, Rural Emergency Medicine
Why She Keeps Coming Back: “The workshops are really very practical and applicable to my scope of practice.”

With over 20 years of experience and Fellowship with ACRRM, Dr Heidiliza Cayari has long been a dedicated presence in rural health. Based in Beaudesert in Queensland’s Scenic Rim, she knows first-hand the challenges faced by clinicians working in resource-limited settings.

She values Health Workforce Queensland’s workshops for how well they reflect those realities. “The presenters honour and recognise where you practise, your limitations as to manpower, equipment, and availability of medication. They try to learn as much about our situation and adjust content to reflect what’s actually possible in rural settings.”

By tailoring content to the constraints and contexts of rural medicine, the workshops give participants more than just clinical knowledge, they provide confidence and a sense of being understood and supported. That support is often a key factor in helping rural doctors remain in their communities for the long term.

A Supportive Learning Environment

Unlike other professional development experiences that can feel high-pressure or overly formal, Dr Cayari finds Health Workforce Queensland’s approach refreshingly different. “I learn best in an environment that isn’t pressured. When I feel supported, I remember more and feel confident applying it in practice.”

The workshops are intentionally designed to be calm, hands-on, and encouraging. This supportive environment not only improves learning outcomes but also helps rural clinicians feel re-energised and reaffirmed in their roles, an important step in reducing burnout and turnover.

Key Takeaways

One of the most powerful messages Dr Cayari takes from the workshops is the reassurance that quality care is still possible, even in challenging circumstances. “At the end of the day, no matter how much or how little you have, the goal is always the same, you save the patient. The workshops remind us that doing the best with what’s available is enough, while also giving us resources, showing us where to find information, and providing contacts for extra support when we need it.”

It’s this blend of realism and resourcefulness that makes the workshops so impactful for clinicians working on the front lines of rural health.

Workshop Impact

Although she hasn’t yet had to apply every skill learned during the workshops, Dr Cayari says the preparation and reassurance they provide are invaluable. “It’s reassuring to know that when I do need to use those skills, I’ll be ready. That’s why I keep attending.”

For her, continued professional development isn’t just a requirement, it’s a lifeline. The practical, hands-on nature of the training helps her stay confident and capable, ready to face whatever clinical challenges may arise.

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Pictured: Rural Emergency Medicine Workshop