Rural and Remote Area Placement Program (RRAPP)
What is RRAPP? | Who can RRAPP? | How will I be paid on RRAPP? | When and where can I RRAPP? | How is RRAPP supported? | Accomodation
 Placement in Progress  Lavender Field
RRAPP clinical attachments provide Hospital Medical Officers (HMOs) who are not yet in a speciality or general practice training program with hands-on experience of clinical practice in a Tasmanian rural community.
RRAPP is an initiative funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing working in association with the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, Tasmanian University Department of Rural Health, Tasmanian GP Divisions (Rural Workforce Support), Postgraduate Medical Institute, Rural Doctors Association of Tasmania, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Department of Health and Human Services (Tas), Royal Hobart Hospital, Launceston General Hospital, Community General Practices and General Practice Training Tasmania.
Rural Practice Placement Locations
Rotations are from the Royal Hobart Hospital and Launceston General Hospital, Tasmania.
The new rotations to George Town and Scottsdale are for you, if you have an interest in any of the clinical fields listed below.
- Emergency Medicine
- Obstetrics
- Paediatrics
- Anaesthetics
- Surgery
- General Practice
- Rural Medicine
RRAPP Contact information:
- Dr Brian Bowring.
Anne St Medical Practice, George Town
Telephone (03) 6382 4333
- Dr Jim Wilson
Scottsdale Doctors Surgery
Telephone (03) 6352 2522
What is RRAPP?
RRAPP clinical attachments provide Hospital Medical Officers (HMOs) who are not yet in a speciality or general practice training program with hands-on experience of clinical practice in a Tasmanian rural community.
The attachments provide recent medical graduates with an introduction to general practice in a supportive rural environment. You will develop clinical skills in managing common medical problems presenting in rural practice, together with an understanding of continuing, comprehensive, patient-centred primary and preventative community-based care.
My days are very civilised. We start with a ward round at 8.30am, then to the surgery until about 6.00pm. I see 2-3 patients per hour, and because I am the least heavily booked doctor at the practice, I see a lot of emergency department type work - chest pain, broken limbs, anaphylaxis and emotional crises! Overtime has been particularly rewarding.
Knowing I am well supported but still getting to be the only doctor in the hospital is exciting without being terrifying! I have seen croup, acute abdomen in a child, a 30 week pregnant lady bleeding all over the place and 6cm dilated in our emergency room, 45 minutes from town, and a fitting 6 week old …. as you can see, a great term for anyone interested in Emergency Department or Paeds.
Wendy Bridges, RRAPP doctor at Scottsdale
Who can RRAPP?
RRAPP is offered to prevocational junior doctors with unconditional registration in their PGY2 or PGY3 year. RRAPP provides a structured learning experience and provides trainees with an understanding of how rural general practice interacts with other areas of general practice. For others, the placementmay be an introduction or 'testing of the waters' for trainees who are considering rural general practice.
How will I be paid on RRAPP?
RRAPP trainees will be paid as employees of the Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services and will be paid by the Royal Hobart Hospital or Launceston General Hospital. An on-call allowance will be paid to reflect the RRAPP requirements that trainees participate in the practice's on-call roster. In addition, the trainee will be paid a secondment allowance of $500 to cover incidental expenses associated with participation in the placement.
When and where can I RRAPP?
There is a potential option for RRAPP placements in Georgetown and Scottsdale in 2004.
Accomodation
Comfortable accommodation is provided at no cost to the RRAPP trainee.
How is RRAPP supported?
The educational program and support for the George Town and Scottsdale posts is facilitated by the University Department of Rural Health (UDRH) at the University of Tasmania. UDRH is one of Tasmania's success stories, contributing to an increased and more sustainable rural and remote health workforce through appropriate education and research programs.
UDRH staff provide support and assistance to the George Town and Scottsdale practices, facilitating a smooth transition into the placement, providing information about educational opportunities during the placement and ensuring that the placement provides a meaningful and satisfying experience.
The Group Practice partners, District Hospitals, Rural Workforce Support and GP North are your hosts for the term. This rotation provides you also with the opportunity to experience community life, social and recreational activities in these very attractive rural communities.
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