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A helping hand for mental health

Mental health was always going to be a significant problem during the COVID-19 pandemic, with fear, illness, and isolation proving a potent cocktail. Nowhere is this being experienced more acutely than amongst healthcare professionals on the front line of the battle. For many, it’s been months of intense psychological pressure and exhaustion as they help others, whilst fearing for their health and that of their families. For many, that’s being managed against a back...

An intern year of opportunity

For many future doctors, the idea of their intern year is nothing short of daunting. But for Dr Gia Cavalieri interning at Mackay and Proserpine hospitals in north Queensland was an overwhelmingly positive experience, one which has seen her grow and flourish as a doctor. “There is a lot of talk amongst junior doctors around the globe that interns and juniors struggle with stress and anxiety and feel that they can’t ask for help. But my experience as an intern in northern Queens...

Interning in Mackay, the ‘gold nugget’ of Queensland

When it came to applying for intern medical positions, Shawn Steckle and his partner knew they’d have to cast the net far and wide. As international students looking to be placed as a couple, they realised going regional would be the best option. “I wanted to play it safe and get a spot early with Queensland Health rather than pursue the CMR route. So we flew up to Cairns and made our way down the coast back down to Brisbane, attending all the hospital intern open days along the way,...

Beer, boars and outback medicine

Within a quarter of an hour of arriving at his extended 35-week rural placement in Longreach, Matthew Riggs, was sitting down for a roast dinner with newfound friends. But this is outback Queensland, so it was dinner with a difference. “I arrived in Longreach on a Sunday at 4pm. I was just getting some stuff in from the car when two of the students came out and invited me to join them for a roast dinner at the NUM’s (nurse unit manager) house. I said, `Sure, I’ll come along&rsq...

Gamble into the unknown provides great dividends

Dr Kay Mbalamweshi’s move from Sydney to Mackay in North Queensland was somewhat of a gamble into the unknown but one that has certainly paid off some great dividends. “I had just finished my studies in Sydney and was looking for a rural generalist position somewhere in Australia. I got offered a spot in North Queensland and although I had never been there, I ended up choosing Mackay,” said Kay. After completing her GP training in Mackay, which included a six-month medica...