According to a doctorate student at Charles Sturt University (CSU), a factor influencing this poor representation of female doctors in the country is an “apocalyptic” view that rural communities are inferior to metropolitan areas.

Noela Lippert will discuss research for her PhD, Female General Practitioners and the Sustainability of Rural General Practice, at a national conference at CSU’s Wagga Wagga Campus on Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 July.

The conference, Setting the Agenda for Rural Women: Research Directions, will bring together government, university and community organisations from Australia and New Zealand to discuss and unite research efforts for the next decade.

Ms Lippert said the shortage of rural doctors – both male and female –  cannot be addressed by the medical profession alone: there has got to be a broader commitment by government to rural and regional Australia.

“The government needs to have policies in rural areas that will create jobs and create a sense that there is a future.”

Keynote speakers at the conference include Associate Professor Margaret Alston from CSU’s Centre for Rural Social Research, Dr Sally Shortall from Queens University, Belfast, Dr Fiona Haslam-McKenzie from the Institute of Regional Development, University of Western Australia and Cathy McGowan, Chair, Regional Women’s Advisory Council. 

The event will be hosted by Charles Sturt University, the Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Australian Women in Agriculture.