Growing up in Canada, Tim Sy never imagined he’d find himself working as a doctor in rural Queensland.

Tim grew up in multi-cultural Toronto and moved to Australia to study medicine.

“I’ve always been drawn to medicine, even since high school. I like … using science and evidence to help people’s lives,” he said.

He studied medicine at Griffith University on the Gold Coast, describing it as a “an exciting adventure and a great opportunity”.

“I got my first introduction to rural generalism as a medical student, where I spent a whole clinical year at Warwick Hospital,” Tim said.

“I really enjoyed the experience as you got great clinical exposure seeing your own patients, presenting cases, gaining skills and being part of the clinical team.

“Ever since I have always tried to seek opportunities to work rurally.”

Tim completed his internship with Mackay HHS and his first rotation at Proserpine Hospital. He worked there for eight months, in the emergency department, inpatient ward, theatre and outpatient clinics including anaesthetics, fracture and antenatal.

“I got to see and manage really interesting cases; I felt I was part of the clinical team and involved in patient care at a level you may not get at larger hospitals as an intern,” he said.

After his final rotation at Mackay Base Hospital, he worked as a Resident Medical Officer (RMO) at Townsville University Hospital and Ingham Hospital in emergency, mental health, O&G, anaesthetics and paediatrics. This helped him gain the skills required to become a rural generalist.

Tim then returned to Proserpine as a Principal House Officer (PHO) and general practitioner for two years before moving to Gympie to undertake his fellowship with the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) with advanced skill in obstetrics. He has since returned to Proserpine as an SMO.

Rural generalism offered doctors the chance to really tailor their medical careers, he said.

“Whether you want to work in a hospital, GP setting or both; you can ultimately decide,” he said.

“It offers a level of continuity of care you may not get working a hospital or in a GP setting alone.

“From admitting patients in the emergency department and then managing them in the inpatient ward, seeing them get better with your interventions, to discharging them from hospital and following them up as their GP.

“As a GP obstetrician, I have seen patients in antenatal care, managed their labour and delivery in hospital, then subsequently managed them post partum.

“I’ve even had to manage some babies I have delivered that have been unwell or needed follow up. It’s rewarding being part of that family’s journey and rural patients are appreciative of the service you are providing.”

While some may find working rurally challenging, even isolating, Tim enjoys the experience.

“I find people who live rurally have a sense of community and value their doctors. And in each rural hospital I have worked in you get to know the staff working there, get invited to social events and build connections. Even now as I go to conference and meet rural generalists I have worked with in the past, we catch up and reminisce about the time we worked together, updates in our lives and interesting cases at work.

“The seniors I have worked with have also been very invested in my progression, even given their time to mentor, educate and do practice questions, even on their days off.

“In a sense, you build a community of other people who are passionate in the work and service they give to their rural communities.”

His advice for junior doctors is that rural rotations are a highly valuable experience.

“It may seem like you're working in a small rural hospital, but you’ll see cases that you can apply to almost any specialty and you’ll likely be more involved in their care than you would in a larger hospital,” Tim said.

Tim is settled in the region, describing the Whitsundays as a wonderful place to live.

“I like to go scuba diving when I can. There are also plenty of walking trails and camping sites around the area,” he said.

“I like to bake also; my cinnamon scrolls tend to be quite popular with the Proserpine nursing staff.”