A significant shift in medical education aims to address the healthcare access gap between urban and rural communities in Australia. The University of Sydney is now offering a full four-year Doctor of Medicine program at its regional campus in Dubbo, allowing students to train entirely in rural settings. This initiative responds to the pressing need for healthcare professionals in underserved areas.
Liam Morrissey, a recent graduate from this program, understands firsthand the challenges faced by rural residents. Growing up in Coonabarabran, he experienced the difficulties of accessing healthcare due to his sister’s disability. “I saw that sort of second-hand,” Morrissey reflected. His family often drove long distances to seek medical care in Brisbane and Sydney, inspiring him to pursue a career in medicine.
After initially studying exercise physiology and working in occupational health, Morrissey returned to his goal of becoming a doctor. He is now one of 24 graduates from the inaugural class at the University of Sydney’s Dubbo medical school. Established in 2001 for rural placements, the program began offering a full four-year degree in 2022.
Meeting the Rural Health Workforce Needs
The decision to train medical students in Dubbo aims to cultivate a workforce committed to serving rural communities. According to Associate Professor Paul Lunney, head of the Clinical School for the School of Rural Health, this cohort is particularly motivated to return to their communities. “There’s a strong desire to practise medicine in regional, rural and remote areas,” Lunney noted.
Federal government data reveals a stark disparity in healthcare access, with only 73 full-time equivalent general practitioners available for every 100,000 people in very remote regions, compared to 114.6 per 100,000 in metropolitan areas. This gap has significant implications for residents in rural areas, who often face higher healthcare costs. The National Rural Health Alliance reported that by 2025, the expenditure gap between urban and rural Australians could reach $1,090.47 per person annually.
Lunney emphasized the importance of the Dubbo program in addressing these disparities. “We’re part of the education pipeline to build the rural health workforce,” he stated. Graduates from this program are much more likely to work in rural settings than their counterparts trained in metropolitan areas.
A Commitment to Community Health
Morrissey is set to begin his internship at Dubbo Base Hospital in 2026, joining over half of his cohort who plan to continue their medical careers in regional health. Another graduate, Josie Cross, who comes from Grafton, shares a similar passion for serving underresourced communities. She encourages prospective students to consider the Dubbo Stream, highlighting the supportive environment and sense of community. “You build your own family while you’re there,” she said. “The community is very welcoming, and you get to experience so many different things. It is definitely worth it.”
The University of Sydney offers students the option to choose between its Camperdown and Dubbo Streams for the Doctor of Medicine program. Admissions are based on the GAMSAT results, undergraduate GPA, a personal statement, and an interview. The university prioritizes recruitment for Indigenous and regional applicants, further emphasizing its commitment to enhancing rural healthcare.
This innovative approach by the University of Sydney not only addresses the immediate healthcare needs of rural Australians but also fosters a new generation of medical professionals dedicated to improving health outcomes in their communities.
