Next generation of country psychiatrists receive long-term support with dedicated program in regional areas

WA Country Health Service’s rural psychiatry training program had four new psychiatrists awarded fellowship in regional WA this year, including one in Albany. First launched in 2023, the program now supports almost 40 fellows to live, train and practice in regional WA while they complete six-month rotations across areas of practice to complete all their required training. Newly qualified consultant psychiatrist Phoebe Thornton returned to Albany after completing her fellowship. She had completed much of her junior training in the region. “I completed my junior doctor years in Albany and had a great experience with the psychiatry team,” she said. “The exposure to knowledgeable and supportive seniors, broad patient mix, and the opportunity to live and work in the country was what drew me to apply for the RPTWA (Rural Psychiatry Training WA ) program. “It’s been full circle coming back to where I trained as a junior doctor and it’s lovely to work with all the staff that supported and taught me throughout my training. “Now it’s time to keep learning, provide quality care, and ensure future rural mental health staff receive the quality training I did so we can continue growing our workforce.” Dr Thornton gained fellowship this year alongside Dr Margaret Wardrop, Dr Layale Tayba, and Dr Stephen Pannell. The program is the first of its kind in Australia or New Zealand, dedicated to rural training and practice and accredited by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. It focuses on strengthening its participants’ rural experience, working across different settings and environments and focusing on various pathways within psychiatry including child and adolescents, older-age, addiction, and community mental health services. The trainees are supervised by rural consultant psychiatrists throughout their rotations, allowing them to learn from those already on the job. WACHS’ executive director of mental health Paula Chatfield said that the program formed an important strategy in enabling early career psychiatrists to learn and grow while supporting the mental health of country communities. “Access to rural psychiatrists is important, and this program means we’re attracting, training and retaining junior psychiatrists to support the communities they live and work in, as well as develop their careers,” she said. “The experience is unique in so many ways and includes a strong focus on understanding the cultural needs of our Aboriginal people. “With our focus on expanding and growing our own workforce in the bush, psychiatrists who graduate from the program are more likely to continue their careers in the regions.”