Rural psych calls country stint a career 'must-do'

Psychiatry Registrar Dr Diana Taylor is encouraging her peers to consider a career in country WA.

“The work opportunities are truly unique and the experiences you get are so different from metropolitan work,” Dr Taylor said.

“I have also found the rural health community to be filled with passionate people who are extremely supportive and generous with their time.”

Dr Taylor joined WA Country Health Service in the first ever cohort of trainee psychiatrists to take part in the Rural Psychiatry Training WA program. She is currently on rotation in Busselton.

“The program has allowed me to continue gaining a broad range of training experiences, all while working and living in beautiful regional WA,” she said.

But it’s the community she’s found in her fellow trainees that she’s most grateful for.

“Although we may be geographically isolated from one another, we have been supported by the Rural Psychiatry Training WA program to create a close and supportive training community as Registrars,” Dr Taylor said.

“It’s a privilege to work alongside rural psychiatrists who are extremely passionate about this program and supporting the next generation of rural psychiatrists.”

Executive Director Mental Health Paula Chatfield said Dr Taylor and her peers represent a new era of rural psychiatric care that live, train and practice in country WA from internship through to fellowship.

“We have specially established this program to give psychiatry Registrars the best possible experience learning from the top educators and specialists in country WA,” she said.

“Our trainees are developing experience and clinical expertise in diverse country communities – an opportunity that they usually wouldn’t get in a metropolitan area.

“Rural psychiatrists who graduate from the program will also go on to fill permanent positions in the regions, expanding our dedicated workforce.”

For Dr Taylor, that means more time to explore her bucket-list of activities in the South West.

“Since moving here my weekends have been filled with learning to surf, spending time hiking the Cape to Cape or simply enjoying the beautiful Margaret River wine region,” she said.

“And I’ve still got so much to explore down this way!” 

Interested in adding a country stint to your resume? Learn more about working at WA Country Health Service.