RG Life Hacks

Sexual misconduct in medicine challenges the safety, trust, and integrity of the profession. In this episode of RG Life Hacks, Dr Emily Moody speaks with Professor Louise Stone, a GP and medical educator, about the realities of sexual harassment and abuse within medical workplaces and the cultural and systemic factors that allow them to persist.
Professor Stone draws on her extensive research and international collaborations to explain how power, hierarchy, and silence shape these experiences and what meaningful prevention and healing can look like.
The discussion explores the importance of leadership, upstanding behaviour, and peer support in creating safer professional environments.
This conversation offers an honest and compassionate look at how the medical profession can confront harm within its own ranks and begin to foster genuine cultural change. It also provides valuable perspective for registrars as they navigate complex team dynamics, learn to recognise unsafe behaviours, and develop the confidence to speak up or support colleagues.
 
Wellbeing Support Services
1800RESPECT: Call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732
Lifeline: Call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14
13YARN: 13 92 76
Aphra: 1300 419 495
Drs4Drs: 1300 374 377 (1300 DR4 DRS)
Bush Support Line (CRANAplus): 1800 805 391
Police (non-emergency): 131 444
For more information and additional resources, visit ACRRM Wellbeing Support: https://www.acrrm.org.au/support/wellbeing/well-being-support
 
Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine. The material presented is for general information purposes only.

Registrars’ own experiences of trauma can shape how they learn, work, and respond to feedback. In this follow-up episode of RG Life Hacks, Dr Emily Moody continues her conversation with Dr Susan Tyler-Freer, exploring how trauma-informed care principles apply to medical education and the registrar training journey.
Dr Tyler-Freer unpacks how developmental trauma and neurodiversity can influence learning style, clinical reasoning, emotional resilience, and communication. She explains how understanding ACEs within the registrar population can improve feedback, reduce harm, and support professional identity development.
The episode also makes a compelling case for clinical supervision as an essential support for registrars and educators to process the emotional toll of Rural Generalist practice.
This discussion offers powerful insights for registrars and those who teach or supervise them, highlighting how to create safer, more supportive learning environments throughout training.
 
Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine. The material presented is for general information purposes only.

How can rural doctors provide compassionate, effective care for patients living with trauma? In this episode of RG Life Hacks, Dr Emily Moody speaks with Dr Susan Tyler-Freer, Rural Generalist and medical educator, about applying a trauma-informed lens to everyday clinical care. 
Drawing on her experience in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, Dr Tyler-Freer explains how understanding adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can help rural doctors interpret symptoms more accurately, avoid assumptions, and build stronger therapeutic relationships. She highlights how trauma shapes language and patient behaviour, and urges doctors to stay curious and “unpack” what their patients are really saying. 
This episode is essential listening for registrars and Rural Generalists navigating the complexities of care, where trauma is more common than we often realise. It offers practical strategies for safer communication and reminds us that trauma-informed care is not just about what we know, it is about how we listen, interpret and relate. 
 
Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine. The material presented is for general information purposes only.

How do doctors look after their own health while caring for their patients? In this episode of RG Life Hacks, Dr Emily Moody speaks with Dr Roger Sexton, rural GP and Medical Director of Doctors’ Health SA, about the importance of seeking support during personal or professional health crises.
With over 35 years of experience in rural practice and doctors’ health advocacy, Dr Sexton explores the unique barriers doctors face when accessing care, including stigma, confidentiality concerns, and professional expectations. He also reflects on the cultural shifts that are changing how the profession understands and supports doctors’ well-being.
The conversation highlights the critical link between doctors' health and patient safety, the evolving support systems available to rural clinicians, and the importance of showing up to work ‘in good shape’.
A must-listen for registrars and early-career Rural Generalists navigating life and work in remote settings, this episode offers clarity, reassurance, and practical strategies for staying healthy and thriving in practice.
 
Wellbeing Support Services
Doctors' Health SA: (08) 8366 0250
Doctors' Health NSW: (02) 9437 6552
Doctors' Health QLD: (07) 3833 4352
Doctors' Health NT: 08 8366 0250 (via SA service)
Doctors' Health Advisory Service WA (DHASWA): (08) 9321 3098
Victorian Doctors Health Program (VDHP): 1300 330 543
Drs4Drs: 1300 374 377 (1300 DR4 DRS)
Bush Support Line (CRANAplus): 1800 805 391
For more information and additional resources, visit ACRRM Wellbeing Support: https://www.acrrm.org.au/support/wellbeing/well-being-support
 
Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine. The material presented is for general information purposes only.

How do case-based discussions (CBD) help registrars develop clinical reasoning and prepare for Fellowship? In this episode of RG Life Hacks, Dr Emily Moody speaks with Dr James Fraser, ACRRM’s Director of Assessment, to explore the purpose, process, and preparation behind this essential assessment.
James, an experienced clinician and educator with expertise in Rural Generalist medicine, provides a deep dive into CBD. He explains how this assessment evaluates registrars' clinical reasoning and decision-making using real patient cases. From selecting cases to managing the de-identification process, James offers practical advice and insights to support registrars' success.
Emily and James also discuss how CBD fits within ACRRM’s programmatic learning approach, its connection with other assessments like STAMPS and mini-CEX, and the role of feedback in shaping better doctors.
Whether you're preparing for CBD or simply curious about its role in training, this episode offers valuable insights for registrars at any stage. Tune in to discover how CBD promotes critical thinking, refines professional skills, and supports lifelong learning.
 
Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine. The material presented is for general information purposes only.

What does it take to become a leader in rural medicine? In this episode of RG Life Hacks, Dr Emily Moody sits down with Associate Professor Dan Halliday — the 100th registrar to train for Fellowship with ACRRM and a former College President. Drawing on over 20 years of experience, Dan shares his journey from growing up on a sheep and cattle farm in Tenterfield to becoming a Rural Generalist obstetrician and a leader in rural healthcare. 
Dan reflects on the pivotal moments and mentors that shaped his career, the importance of saying "yes" to opportunities, and the lessons learned in balancing leadership, advocacy, and clinical practice. He also discusses the challenges of transitioning to college-led training and the recognition of rural generalist medicine as a specialty. 
This episode offers inspiring insights for anyone passionate about rural medicine or considering a leadership or advocacy role in healthcare. Tune in to hear Dan’s advice on stepping up, embracing challenges, and driving meaningful change in rural and remote communities.
 
Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine. The material presented is for general information purposes only.

In small communities, the line between personal and professional life can get blurry—so how do rural doctors manage professional boundaries? In this episode of RG Life Hacks, Dr Emily Moody speaks with Professor Tarun Sen Gupta, Acting Dean and Academic Head of Medicine at JCU, about the challenges of maintaining boundaries in rural and remote practice.
With 30 years of experience in medical education, Professor Sen Gupta explores what boundaries are and the distinction between boundary crossings and violations. They also discuss which boundaries are flexible versus absolute and the challenges of managing dual relationships in rural settings.
This conversation is especially valuable for anyone beginning their career in rural and remote healthcare, offering key insights and practical strategies for managing professional boundaries in these unique contexts.
 
Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine. The material presented is for general information purposes only.

Join Dr Emily Moody and Professor Lucie Walters in the latest episode of RG Life Hacks. Emily and Lucie speak about the diverse nature of communities and the privilege of being Rural Generalist doctor in community. Themes like humility, reputation identity and the role of ACRRM are all discussed.   
Lucie is passionate about improving the health outcomes of rural people through the education, training, and professional support of rural doctors. She is also a past President of the Australian College or Rural and Remote Medicine.
Lucie talks about her career as a Rural Generalist and an academic and explores the multitude of career pathways that are available to fellows. She speaks about academic medicine, university opportunities and the role further study in a doctor’s career.
 
Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine. The material presented is for general information purposes only.

Dr Emily Moody speaks with Dr Tim Leeuwenburg, a career rural generalist and FACRRM working on remote Kangaroo Island in South Australia. In this episode, Tim shares stories from across his career, highlighting the importance of being prepared for the wide range of situations encountered in rural practice. He also reflects on vulnerability, the value of strong support networks, and how to support colleagues in challenging environments.
 
Discussed in this podcast:
Pre-Hospital Emergency Care (PHEC)
Sandpiper Australia – Supporting Pre-Hospital Care in Rural Australia
 
Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine. The material presented is for general information purposes only.

Have you ever struggled to talk easily about sexual health with your patients? In this episode, Dr Emily Moody speaks to Dr Matt Ruhl about his career as a rural generalist with an impressive career in sexual and mental health care. He shares his experience about things you can do to help patients feel comfortable enough to open up and share their concerns. We also talk about the burgeoning rates of certain STIs, and how doctors can boost screening rates by ‘value-adding’ when patients come in for other tests. Listen into this episode for some excellent practical tips and general principles for sexual health consultations.
 
Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine. The material presented is for general information purposes only.