How medical students can help transform our rural communities

The shortage of doctors in remote, rural and regional Australia is far more than a statistic - it shapes daily life in communities where distance and availability dictate access to essential healthcare.

After settling into their new life on the Eyre Peninsula, retirees Mostyn and his wife, Helene, quickly discovered the challenges of accessing medical care outside of the city.

When they need medical attention - whether it’s lingering foot pain or ongoing health conditions - they have no choice but to make a 400‑kilometre trip to Port Lincoln just to see the GP who knows their history.

“There is an inconsistent locum service in our new town, and we need continuity of medical and personal care from a GP who understands our needs,” Mostyn says. “Currently, we travel 400 kilometres one way to Port Lincoln to see our family doctor.”

For them, the long drive has become part of life in rural Australia and a stark reminder of how essential consistent healthcare is, no matter where you live.

It’s an all too familiar story; around a third of those living in outer regional, remote or very remote areas report waiting longer than they feel is acceptable for a GP or specialist appointment. This statistic underscores how access to healthcare, and the travel required to receive it, has remained a decades-long challenge in these communities.

This is reflected in the findings of the 2025 Flinders University Wicked Problems Report, which identified access to health and social care as one of the top concerns for people living in rural areas.

Pathway for more doctors to stay in the regions

That’s why regional education programs designed to address this workforce shortfall offer more than medical support; they provide a genuine pathway to transforming health and wellbeing for the communities who depend on local services.

For the first time in South Australia’s history, aspiring doctors can now complete their entire medical degree in regional communities, thanks to Flinders University’s South Australia Rural Medical Program (SARM).

As part of the University’s pledge to change 10 million lives for the better over the next decade in its new strategic plan: Agenda 2035 – Impact. With Purpose – Flinders is committed to supporting graduates who will go on to directly care for regional and rural communities as health professionals.

“For the first time, medical students can complete their entire degree in regional South Australia, embedding them in local communities from day one,” says Flinders University Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling.

“Flinders has been training doctors ready to meet the needs of South Australians for over 50 years and delivering health to Territorians for more than 25 years, including the Northern Territory Medical Program since 2011. This new initiative takes our commitment to the development of the medical workforce to the next level.

“We know that students who train in the regions are more likely to stay and practice there, and this program will help to build a sustainable rural health workforce for South Australia.”

South Australia Rural Medical Program

Launched in 2025, SARM students spend their first two years in either Mount Gambier or Renmark before completing their clinical training across Flinders’ extensive rural network.

Sixty students were enrolled in the landmark program’s foundation year. As they commence their second year of study in 2026, another 60 students have just embarked on their medical journey across both campuses, strengthening the doctor pipeline.

Research shows that medical students who have a rural background are more likely to pursue rural careers than students from the city and many medical graduates from the city are more likely to practice in the regions if they get a chance to train regionally.

To enable the program, the Federal Government has allocated additional Commonwealth Supported places and infrastructural funding so that by 2028, 240 students will be enrolled in the SARM program.

Relocating from Adelaide, first-year SARM student, 23-year-old Nihaal Jummun moved to Renmark last year to make a difference to the regional community.

“I value continuity of care and building strong relationships with patients over time, which is something rural practice offers. Being part of a smaller clinical team means I can be more involved in patient care early on, which really supports my learning,” he says.

“Ultimately, I want to develop the skills and experience needed to contribute meaningfully to rural or underserved communities in the future.”

Nihaal is confident that SARM can make a real difference in encouraging more students to pursue rural medicine.

“It allows us to build genuine, long-term relationships with both the community and local healthcare teams. This continuity creates a strong sense of belonging and purpose, which is difficult to replicate in short-term rural placements,” he says.

“I think these kinds of experiences play a huge role in shifting students’ perceptions of rural practice, from something unfamiliar to something deeply meaningful and rewarding. Over time, that sense of integration and contribution could be what ultimately encourages many of us to stay in rural or regional medicine beyond graduation.”
 

Flinders University is acting on the challenges shaping everyday life. From expanding access to medical education for rural students and empowering girls in STEM, to research responding to rising cost‑of‑living pressures, the focus is on real‑world impact. Flinders’ work is anchored by an ambitious goal: to change 10 million lives for the better by 2035.

Photo: Georgia Paige Photography