Among the thousands of university students starting their first year of studies across Australia is a special cohort in Dubbo, studying medicine in the regional New South Wales city.
The 24 students, who have all grown up in rural Australia, will be the first group to study their four-year Doctor of Medicine from beginning to end at the University of Sydney's Dubbo campus.
Emily Turnbull, who previously studied as a paramedic, said she felt she could offer more to her community as a doctor.
"I realised if I wanted to move somewhere like Quambone or Warren I'd have a greater contribution as a GP or working in hospitals out here."
She said being able to study in a regional area made her feel closer to her roots, having grown up in Quambone in the state's central west.
"I spent the last 18 months back from university and I fell in love with being in a rural area again," she said.
"I don't want to go anywhere else.
It is hoped offering the degree completely in a regional location will encourage studying doctors to stay in the regions, where GPs and other health specialists are in demand.
And that's exactly what Emily is hoping to do.
"One interest would be women's health, the other one is to be an emergency physician just because of the adrenaline," she said.
"Otherwise, a GP because we're just in dire straits for GPs at the moment in rural areas."
She says, being from a regional area, she has a unique understanding of the role a good doctor can play in the community, and in delivering continuity of care to families.
Step in the right direction
For the Rural Doctors Association (RDA) of Australia, the new course in Dubbo is a step in the right direction.
Spokesman John Hall said any training in rural doctoring can help to encourage those trainees to stay for the long term.
"It's not universal that they have to have come from a rural area," Dr Hall said.
"We also know that doctors that grew up in metro areas that get exposed to and train in rural and regional areas are much more likely to stay."
He said allowing doctors to be exposed to regional locations and the reality of rural medicine helps them to see how rewarding it can be.
However, he said more support and programs are needed to help those students to transition from their studies into work as a doctor.
"The problem still remains workforce," he said.
"At the moment, we're still lagging in terms of number of doctors per capita in rural Australia.
"There's nearly half the numbers of doctors per capita in rural Australia today than metropolitan areas."
Calls for investment
Dr Hall said with an election looming it's hoped both major parties will be able to help build that workforce.
"What we need from the government is more affirmative action when it comes to better incentive programs, better conditions and better training, funding and support for training towards rural practice.
"Obviously, this type of training is one of the building blocks that's essential to make that happen."
He said at this point, the RDA feels both parties have "lost momentum" on improving rural and remote healthcare, in favour of a city focus.
"The votes are in metropolitan healthcare," he said.
"And that's often where the focus is specifically leading up to an election.
"We're calling on both of the major parties to consider equitable access to health services for the whole of Australia, not just those living in the metropolitan areas."
