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Presentation Description
Institution: Monash University - Victoria, Australia
Purpose: The provision of safe and equitable rural general surgical care is reliant upon a multidisciplinary team of healthcare practitioners and modern infrastructure. Due to this, a qualitative interview study was undertaken to determine the impact of human capacity and infrastructure upon Australian rural general surgery.
Methodology:
A qualitative interview study was undertaken from May 2022 – November 2023 using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were conducted by a single interviewer, and were conducted online with Australian rural general surgeons. Recruitment and interviewing was completed by the interviewer until an appropriately diverse group of participants had been interviewed, and no further new themes emerged.
Results:
Twenty-two rural Australian general surgeons were interviewed. Four key themes emerged.
1. Small hospital syndrome: This examines the challenges which smaller, rural hospitals face. It encompasses the culture that develops, the impact of an often absent or transient critical care team and “small town politics” which occurs.
2. The rural general surgeon identity: This reflects a broad and generalist skillset, that is motivated by a humanitarian and altruistic aspect, but requires large personal sacrifices.
3. The service providers: This identifies that rural general surgical teams are restricted in innovation, IT and access to imaging and pathology.
4. A social responsibility for surgery: This reflects a greater need for university engagement with rural surgical services, and a greater examination of metropolitan surgeons who “cream off the country.”
Conclusion:
Four themes emerged which reflected the impact of human capacity and infrastructure upon Australian rural general surgery provision.
Speakers
Authors
Authors
Dr Jessica Paynter - , A/Prof Janelle Brennan - , Professor David Hunter-Smith - , Professor Warren Rozen -