Solutions to rural doctor shortages needed urgently with a focus on general practice, technology, experts say

Dr Michael Mbaogu says the rural doctor shortage is having crippling effects on his GP business. (ABC North West Queensland: Julia Andre)

If Dr Michael Mbaogu closed his medical centre, about 20,000 people would lose access to one of the only healthcare services in town.

With just five full-time doctors struggling to service that population in the outback city of Mount Isa, Dr Mbaogu says his business, like many rural practices, is barely staying afloat.