Report from The Chair Welcome to ‘A New Frontier!’ I am so, so excited for you to read this amazing compilation of articles, artworks and photos from those passionate about rural health from across Australia.
‘A New Frontier’ addresses a new chapter for all of us, within our communities, nation, planet and healthcare system. The year of 2020 threw things out of balance — I’ll use the cliche ‘unprecedented’ to describe the situation it placed us all in. There were particularly damaging effects on rural Australia, for in our fight against location determining health, 2020 made our addresses a determinant of so much more. There was the difficulty of those in border towns struggling to access maternity services across state lines and rural medical students trapped away from their friends and family to keep their new communities safe. All of these measures to protect the ‘safe-haven’ that rural Australia was believed to be, and yet, there was still so much anxiety that came with ‘what if.’
Jasmine Elliott, Chair of AMSA Rural Health
What if this community did have an outbreak? How would we manage? The workforce was stretched further when inter- and intrastate travel was halted; locums were less accessible, and training rotations were frozen for medical students and vocational trainees. We saw medical students being hired as assistants in rural communities, unsure of whether this was related to COVID-19, or the more insidious shortages that exist in the peripheries. We saw difficulties accessing PPE and groceries, and the diminishment of human connection. It wasn’t all doom and gloom though, as the accelerated adoption of telehealth meant these more accessible consultations became part of our ‘new normal’. This moment also marks a new chapter in the life-cycle of this publication. Frontier! has now moved solely online, and is being helmed by our amazing Publications Officers, Sarah and Irene, along with a talented subcommittee of editors and designers. As for the broader Rural Health Committee, I’m excited by the passion our team is bringing, implementing fresh projects in new ways, and rethinking how we undertake design, engagement and advocacy. This year also marks the first ‘bi-state’ Rural Health Summit, taking place in Queensland and Victoria under the amazing leadership of Stephanie and Mara.
Page 02
