Northern Territory General Practice Education (NTGPE) has launched its 2022 campaign to promote General Practice as a career through the inspirational real-life stories of GPs across the region.
NTGPE's Our Community, Our Health campaign profiles NT-based GP registrars, supervisors, and medical educators who help contribute to rural and remote health care in the diverse, challenging, and unique training environment of the Territory.
The stories feature across NTGPE’s digital communication channels including website, social media and other electronic marketing tools, while the stories will also be featured on print resources such as brochures, posters and signage.
The campaign has been launched to coincide with the opening of the first intake period (21 March-19 April) for applications into the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program to start in 2023.
NTGPE Chief Executive Officer Dr Richard Zanner said the human interest stories recognised the value of GPs across the NT, celebrating exceptional individuals who go above and beyond to care for their patients and local communities.
“This campaign is all about sharing the stories of these inspirational doctors, and why they chose the NT to either undertake their GP training, or become a GP supervisor or educator in the Territory,” said Dr Zanner.
“There are several common themes highlighted in this campaign as to why the NT is a great place for GP training.
“The stories demonstrate our very strong focus on rural and remote health, which includes providing a holistic way of practising medicine that cannot be found in a city environment.
“They also show how we have attracted doctors to the NT through a structured, pastoral program which ensures GPs in training are supported and gain experience and cultural awareness, specifically in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
“I’d like to thank all the registrars and supervisors who took part in the campaign, sharing their journeys and illustrating that the NT is a truly remarkable place to undertake GP training.”
One of the stories highlighted is that of Alice Springs-based GP supervisor Dr Han Nyi Naing, who explains how civil war in his home country of Myanmar inspires him to help disadvantaged people.
Dr Tim Hewitt is also profiled, following his journey from India to Palmerston, while fellow GP registrar Dr Sandhli Sharma explains how her father’s work in Aboriginal communities in Western Australia inspired her to want to become a GP.
The campaign introduces Dr Ellie Woodward, originally from New Zealand but now based in Alice Springs, who is pursuing her passion for remote health.
Another story focuses on Dr Sarah Mills, a GP registrar in Palmerston, who knew she had made the right career choice when a patient told her “You literally saved my life”.
“We work with colleges, healthcare providers, medical educators, cultural trainers, and supervisors to offer a GP training program that leads the nation in culturally competent and varied training opportunities,” said Dr Zanner.
“These stories show how NTGPE’s foundation of experience, relationships, and local knowledge of healthcare delivery, especially in rural and remote Australia, ensures a world-class program and delivery of GP training.”
NTGPE is the sole provider of the AGPT Program in the Northern Territory.
To find out more about NTGPE’s Our Community, Our Health campaign, visit https://ntgpe.org/about-us/northern-territory-general-practice-education/our-community-our-health
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