Chronic regional doctor shortage

RECRUITING and retaining rural healthcare professionals is a constant battle for regional clinics who struggle to draw city doctors out of Metropolitan Melbourne. Now some universities are targeting regional medical students to help meet the growing demand of regional and rural communities. Photo: SUPPLIED.

By Eliza Sears

March 22, 2022 | 12:00 PM

ATTRACTING and retaining doctors to regional areas is not a new problem, it has long been a reality of regional and rural living.

With more people moving to regional areas in search of a tree change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and an aging population, the strain on our healthcare system has increased.