RVTS4GP's podcast

How is climate change shaping the health of rural and remote communities—and what can GPs do right now to help? In this special episode of RVTS4GPs, we bring you the keynote address from Professor Nicholas Talley, recorded at the 2025 RVTS Grand Round: On the Frontline – Rural GPs Caring for Communities in a Changing Climate. Professor Talley speaks with passion and urgency about the health impacts of climate change, highlighting the challenges for rural practice and issuing a powerful call to action for GPs everywhere. Whether you're climate-conscious, climate-curious, or simply committed to being the best GP you can be, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration you won't want to miss. More about Professor Talley: Distinguished Laureate Professor Nicholas Talley is a world-leading neurogastroenterologist, clinician and educator with a research interest in disorders of gut-brain interactions and eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorder. Nick is currently Head, Discipline of Medicine at the University of Newcastle, an NHMRC Leadership Fellow, and Chief Investigator of the NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Digestive Health in Newcastle. His undergraduate textbook Clinical Examination (now 9th edition) won 1st place in the British Medical Association Book Awards in 2018. He is currently the Board Chair of Doctors for the Environment Australia, and he is very active in advocating about the serious health impacts of climate change, and promoting adaptation and mitigation by the health system and the community. Want to keep exploring? Doctors for the Environment Australia - Green College Guidelines - Climate and Health Alliance Green Hospitals Journal of Climate Change and Health National guide to preventive health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Fourth Edition ( Chapter 21: Health Impacts of Climate Change ) Carbon Positive Australia

Welcome to this very special podcast episode where we discuss in-depth the recent Medical Journal of Australia supplement collection of five research articles highlighting the successes of the RVTS programme. I am joined by RVTS CEO Dr Pat Giddings and Assoc. Professor Belinda O'Sullivan from the University of Queensland who conducted the research that led to the publications. This episode will be of interest to anyone concerned about General Practice rural workforce shortage, those wanting to know how to support GP registrars in rural and remote areas, the special ingredients required in a successful remote supervision model, the training and support of Overseas Trained doctors to gain GP fellowship and providing meaningful First Nations Cultural training and support for GP registrars. This is a long episode, so grab your coffee or plug-in as you drive to and from work to hear the research findings detailing what has made RVTS so successful in achieving impressive workplace retention as well as fellowship success for the past, nearly 25 years. Timestamps are noted below in case you want to fast forward to an area of special interest but I thoroughly recommend you taking the time to listen to the whole episode as there are many hidden gems. Have a great day. Dr Meryl Nicol The link to the MJA supplement is here and a published editorial in Insight+ is here Time Notes 00.16 Introductions 1:41 How did the publication come about? 3:10 How is RVTS different as a GP training provider? 5:23 Location-based training - benefits to communities and participants 5:39 500 doctors to 350+ communities 6:02 Research results - reported benefits of communities and participants 7:38 Policy maker gains - Closing the Gap, Rural work force and Cruck review 8:52 Overseas trained doctors or IMG's and keys to success 11:03 Comfort 11:42 Confidence 12:15 Competence 13:21 Belonging and face to face workshops 14:01 Bonding 15:25 RVTS support, Overseas trained doctor satisfaction 20:57 RVTS supervision model 25.32 RVTS - how cost effective is it? 29.12 Retention years of return 30.14 Years of service in the community of RVTS registrars 34.08 Hidden costs of locums 36.15 70% of registrars are inland not coastal 37.53 Targeted recruitment model - rural workforce solutions for remote and very remote locations 46.56 Contribution to First Nations Health and Reconciliation Action Plan 49.48 RVTS Reconciliation Action Plan 52.21 Cultural mentor research findings 53.05 Surprises for the evaluator -multilayered support 55.22 Cumulatively, NOT a small programme 56.29 Scalability 57.41 Best practice model for supporting doctors especially IMG's in resource-poor environments, 58.26 Transferable model to other disciplines 58.47 Making a difference 59.25 Wonderful to work with the team at UQ 1.00.36 Final comments from Assoc Prof Belinda O'Sullivan 1.02.38 Final thanks

In this episode of RVTS4GP's, we have two excerpts taken from our popular first-year webinar on Men's Health. The presenter is Dr Justin Coleman, a very experienced GP currently working in Brisbane in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. Justin has a vast experience in medical education, including being a co-editor for Murtagh's General Practice. The two topics reviewed briefly in this episode are Gynaecomastia followed by Androgen Deficiency. References: The Healthy Male for Health Professionals and Healthy Male Clinical Summary Guides RVTS resources for RVTS GP registrars: Log-in required to RVTS online: Men's Health Part 1, Alex, Angus, Joe Part 1, Joe Part 2, Mark Please like and subscribe if you enjoyed the episode so that others can find us.

This episode is Part 2 of a two-part conversation with Associate Professor Dr Chris Hogan, addressing how to stay safe in our practices when dealing with agitated, distressed or potentially dangerous patients. Listen to tips, tricks and wisdom from Chris, gleaned from forty years of rural, general and hospital practice. This is an important topic that GP registrars are advised to discuss with their supervisors. In this episode we explore unexpected violence, practical tips to ensure a safe environment, the difficulties of sedation, and doctor's self-care. Trigger Warning: In this two-part series we discuss some serious episodes of violence in the GP setting. If you have been impacted by violence or threat in any way, please consider getting some help and debriefing with a trusted person. Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast, including but not limited to, opinions, statements or perspectives are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or positions of RVTS. References: Mental Health Emergencies Summary: Assoc. Prof. Chris Hogan LITFL Behavioural Emergency Management Business Security Information Kit – Victoria Police RACGP: Ensuring your Practice is Safe and Secure: Security

In this episode, we sit down for Part One of a two-part conversation with Associate Professor Dr Chris Hogan, addressing how to stay safe in our practices when dealing with agitated, distressed or potentially dangerous patients. Listen to tips, tricks and wisdom from Chris, gleaned from forty years of rural, general and hospital practice. This is an important topic that GP registrars are advised to discuss with their supervisors. Trigger Warning: In this two-part series we discuss some serious episodes of violence in the GP setting. If you have been impacted by violence or threat in any way, please consider getting some help and debriefing with a trusted person. Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast, including but not limited to, opinions, statements or perspectives are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or positions of RVTS. References: Mental Health Emergencies Summary: Assoc. Prof. Chris Hogan LITFL Behavioural Emergency Management Business Security Information Kit – Victoria Police RACGP: Ensuring your Practice is Safe and Secure: Security