RG Life Hacks

Leadership and Advocacy: Lessons from Dan Halliday

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.

Boundaries in Rural Medicine: Balancing Care and Professionalism

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.

The Journey of a Rural Generalist: Community Member, Clinician, and Academic

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.

Rural Responders: From the Front Line

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.

Let’s Talk About Sex: How to Make the ‘Uncomfortable’ Topics Easier

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.

Neurodivergent Children and Primary Care: Experiences from Practice (Part 2)

In the second part of our interview with Dr James Best, Emily and James talk about practical ways to engage neurodivergent children and their carers in a primary care environment. James offers suggestions on how to make a safe space and how to engage with the children in a respectful and non-threatening way.
James and Emily also discuss a variety of current issues in raising children, such a screen-time, prescription of drugs and behaviour management.
 
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.

Care for Neurodivergent Children and Their Families (Part 1)

In this first part of our two-part discussion with Dr James Best, we explore the important role primary care clinicians play in treating neurodivergent children. James highlights the value of taking a holistic view of both the family and the child’s environment. He also explains how forming a genuine partnership with parents or carers is central to treatment — a relationship that must be managed with care and empathy.
 
References: 
Autism:
Raising Children Network
Autism Awareness Australia - Empowering autism families
Books on Autism Spectrum Disorder | Autism Awareness Australia
Autism Spectrum Disorder and Diagnosis Australia | Autismwhatnext
ADHD:
Home - ADHD Australia
Homepage - Circle of Security International
Circle of Security (CoS) | Australian Institute of Family Studies (aifs.gov.au)
 
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.

Consultation Pearls

Join Dr Emily Moody as she talks with Dr Angela Stratton and Dr Lisa White about consultation skills and dealing with difficult situations. They will share their experiences as rural generalists and provide insights into how you can improve your own practice.
The conversation will cover topics such as difficult consultations, consultation styles, communication, and patient centered care. 
 
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.

My Life, My Body: A Consumer’s Perspective on Rural and Remote Health (Part 2)

In Part 2, Dr Emily Moody interviews Carolyn Becker and Deb Robins, who have extensive experience as advocates and consumers of health services in rural and remote Australia. Carolyn and Deb share personal stories of rural generalists that have made a difference in their lives. They offer insights into how doctors can become patient centred in their care and tips on how to become a part of community.
Deb and Carly mention several organisations in the interview. Links to these can be found here:
Save Our Sons Duchenne Foundation: SOS
Are You Bogged Mate?
Supporting Aussie Farmers & Their Communities - Drought Angels
Home - Rural Aid - Supporting Rural 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.

My Life, My Body: A Consumer’s Perspective on Rural and Remote Health (Part 1)

In the first of this two-part RG Life Hacks podcast, Dr Emily Moody speaks with Carolyn Becker and Deb Robins, who bring extensive experience as both advocates and consumers of health services in rural and remote Australia. They share personal stories and challenge rural generalists to adopt a holistic view of their patients, taking time to understand each individual’s unique circumstances. This insightful conversation offers a rare perspective from the other side of the consultation desk — the consumers.
 
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.