National Rural Surgeons’ Training & Retention Workshop February 2024

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner National Rural Surgeons’ Training & Retention Workshop: Issues and Outcomes Paper Page 3 of 10 Beginning with an acknowledgement that the barriers to rural surgical training and retention are well known, attendees identified and prioritised those key issues; clear themes, prioritie [...] The College and the Specialty Training Boards/Committees to promote the rural surgical experience – breadth and types of surgical experience – and to advise on the support trainees might require in the rural context that differs from the standard metropolitan rotation. High Short / medium 2.5. [...] There are several successful innovative models of training that the College and the Specialty Training Boards could evaluate as to fit for purpose so that Aotearoa New Zealand and Australian people can access safe high-quality surgical care in the community where they live. [...] The College and Specialty Training Boards/Committees to support necessary leadership skills development to enable sustainable rural surgical training experiences when working within the rural healthcare sector. High Short / medium 3.4. [...] High Short / mediumRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner National Rural Surgeons’ Training & Retention Workshop: Issues and Outcomes Paper Page 8 of 10 Theme 4 – Governance and resources to operationalise rural surgical training Problems Uncoordinated regional approaches create inefficiencies when resources could be p [...] The College and the Specialty Training Boards/Committees to promote positive stories of rural surgeons, focusing on the positive points of difference with the breadth and types of surgical experiences that can occur in non-metropolitan settings. High Short and ongoing 4.2. [...] The College and the Specialty Training Boards/Committees to work with jurisdictions to develop alternative models of supervision and support in areas not served by existing training hubs [linked to Action 5.1]. High Short / medium 4.5. [...] The College and the Specialty Training Boards/Committees to develop a framework for the requirements of regional training networks and establish appropriate governance [linked to Action 5.1]. High Medium 4.6. [...] The College and Specialty Training Boards/Committees to form or link with regional training networks that are based on community needs as informed by health workforce data. [...] The College and Specialty Training Boards/Committees to link rural and urban centres and require sub-specialty surgeons with their trainees to regularly visit rural sites on rotations. Medium- high MediumRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner National Rural Surgeons’ Training & Retention Workshop: Issues and Outcomes Paper