Rural GPs are the backbone of their communities, providing cradle-to-grave primary care, supporting hospitals, responding to emergencies, and often doing so with little backup. But one question remains too often unspoken: Who looks after the health of rural GPs?
In October 2024, RACGP Rural hosted a webinar titled “Who Looks After the Health of Rural GPs?” to explore this very issue. As the presenter, I led a discussion that acknowledged what many of us already know but don’t often say out loud- rural GPs are burning out and it’s not sustainable.
A culture of silent endurance
Rural doctors often carry a culture of stoicism. We keep going even when we’re unwell, tired, or overwhelmed. Many of us work in solo or small group practices, with limited cover, few opportunities for debriefing, and no time to be unwell. Seeking help for ourselves can feel like letting others down, our patients, our colleagues, or our communities.
But ignoring our own wellbeing has real consequences. We see GPs leave rural practice altogether. We see illness, mental distress, and exhaustion. And ultimately, we see communities lose access to essential care.
Starting a different conversation
The webinar brought together GPs from across the country to reflect, share, and explore what could be done differently. Importantly, we shifted the focus from individual self-care to shared responsibility, recognising that looking after rural GPs must be embedded into the systems we work in.
We discussed practical ideas:
- Building peer networks where GPs can connect and check in regularly.
- Creating space for reflective practice.
- Making it easier to take leave by improving access to locum support.
- Normalising care-seeking behaviour among clinicians, starting from medical training.
Participants shared their own experiences of burnout, as well as what had helped them recover. A common thread was the value of feeling seen and supported, not just professionally, but personally.
Moving from talk to action
RACGP Rural is committed to keeping this conversation going and turning it into action. This means advocating for:
- Funded mechanisms that allow GPs in high-demand areas to take leave.
- Embedded support systems for professional connection and supervision.
- Removing stigma around clinicians seeking help.
Importantly, we are calling for health policy and workforce planning that treats GP wellbeing not as a personal issue, but as a matter of patient safety and rural health sustainability.
GPs should not have to reach a point of crisis before support becomes available. Ensuring they can access help early, and without judgement, must be a core part of how we think about rural health.
A healthier future for rural care
When GPs are well supported, the benefits ripple outward, to patients, families, health teams, and whole communities. Investing in the wellbeing of rural GPs is an investment in the long-term health of rural Australia.
Let’s keep asking the question: Who looks after the rural GP? And let’s make sure the answer is “We all do.”
Watch the webinar:
Who Looks After the Health of Rural GPs? (RACGP Rural)
Find out more:
About the author:
Dr John Buckley is a rural GP and medical educator with a strong interest in clinician wellbeing. He works closely with RACGP Rural to advocate for a more sustainable, supported rural general practice workforce. Dr Buckley is the Chair of the RACGP Rural Education Committee and also is involved with the GPs4RuralDocs service run by the Rural Doctors Foundation.
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