Orientation for general practice in remote Aboriginal communities: a program for registrars in the Northern Territory.
BACKGROUND
Remote general practice can be a highly rewarding career, but poses many personal and professional challenges. It is characterised by significant geographical, professional and social isolation and a requirement for practitioners with public health, emergency and extended clinical skills. The remote practitioner faces further challenges in the remote Aboriginal community setting, including language and cultural barriers.


OBJECTIVE
This paper discusses the specific components of a remote Aboriginal community general practice registrar orientation program in the Northern Territory, and their particular importance and relevance to remote training and practice in this context.


CONCLUSIONS
Northern Territory General Practice Education, the regional general practice training provider in the Northern Territory, has developed a model for a comprehensive orientation program for general practice registrars planning to work in remote Aboriginal community locations. This comprises a number of core components, including communication and cultural safety training; clinical and procedural skill development; population health; self-care and personal/professional role delineation; and organisational issues. We believe it is a program that is applicable to other disciplines undertaking work in remote Aboriginal communities.
Morgan
Simon
S
Northern Territory General Practice Education, Northern Territory University, Darwin, Northern Territory 0815, Australia. simonmorgan@sperrins.wanadoo.co.uk
D002983:Clinical Competence; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006303:Health Services, Indigenous / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D015876:Northern Territory; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000078329:Workforce