Calls for more specialist training in regional Victoria to encourage doctors to work outside the cities

When Lisa Gilbert was deciding what to specialise in, she had to choose between her dream job of becoming a physician or staying in the region that had become her home. Key points: Lisa Gilbert had to choose between studying to become a physician or remaining in the Gippsland region Experts say regional areas are loosing doctors due to the limited availability of specialist training options Some colleges say the state government needs to fund resources to train doctors regionally Originally from Melbourne, Dr Gilbert completed her four-year medical degree at the Monash University Churchill campus, but when it came to choosing a specialty her options were limited. Associate professor Rob Dawson directs Monash University's Gippsland Regional Training Hub, which operates across the region to support the next generation of rural medical practitioners. Dr Dawson said recruiting rural candidates who attended a rural medical school and did their pre-vocational training in a local hospital was a good first step, but end-to-end training needed to be available to retain doctors in regional areas. More challenging to train rurally Australian Medical Association Victoria president Jill Tomlinson said the organisation was looking to advocate the state and federal government to support equal access to healthcare for rural communities.