THE diversity of regional medicine was key to attracting two interns back to the Limestone Coast after previously completing a health education program in Mount Gambier.
Former Mount Gambier resident Dr Ilze Alexander and fellow intern Dr Fred Gott have returned to the region as interns at Mount Gambier Hospital, having previously been enrolled as third-year students in Flinders University’s Parallel Rural Community Curriculum (PRCC) program in 2018.
The program equips students with hands-on medical skills and knowledge while encouraging them to return to regional areas once they complete their study.
Dr Alexander enjoyed her previous third-year experience and also completed two of her required seven rotations at the Mount Gambier Hospital last year.
“It seemed like a great opportunity to be involved with the community, live in a place I enjoyed and also get a great intern experience where you can end up as a very competent doctor,” Dr Alexander said.
“Overall, I have been exposed to a wide variety of clinical skills you would not necessarily get while at a tertiary hospital in Adelaide.”
Dr Alexander said returning to Mount Gambier to further her career was an easy decision.
“I think being a good doctor is all about being comfortable with the unknown and putting yourself out there,” she said.
“Becoming a rural student is just one way you are able to embrace that and making sure you can respond in certain situations.
“People take great pride in mentoring you in regional areas too, so it is a much more personal experience and really sets you up well.”
Growing up in regional Tasmania, Dr Gott always wanted to work in a regional area.
“I actually did not get a spot with the PRCC a few months before we started our third year,” he said.
“I jumped at the opportunity when two spots became available at a general practitioner clinic in Naracoorte.
“You certainly get to do a lot more hands-on and I felt like I improved a lot because of that.”
Dr Gott said a highlight during his third-year student placement was being involved in a caesarean section procedure.
“I was called in at about 12.30am to assist, you would not get that experience in most places and certainly not in the city,” he said.
“To be able to help bring a new life into the world, given how junior you are, is amazing.
“You are not doing much other than holding things but having the opportunity to be that close is really awesome.”
Dr Alexander said her highlight was being involved with the Mount Gambier Hospital ball.
“It did not just involve staff but also other people in the community and it was just a great way to get to know people while developing those working relationships in a unique way,” she said.
“There is just no way something like that would happen in a 500-bed tertiary hospital.”
Looking ahead, both Dr Alexander and Dr Gott hope to pursue a career in the rural medical field as their careers progress.
