Personal View
Creating a centre of excellence in rural health care: strategy, tactics and initial outcomes of the Riverland Academy of Clinical Excellence
AUTHORS
Wayne Champion1 Chief Executive Officer
Paul Worley1 PhD, Executive Director Clinical Innovation *
Caroline Phegan1 FRACGP MBA(Hlth) MAICD, Executive Director Medical Services
Sharon Frahn1 Medical Education Officer
Hamish Eske1 Director of Clinical Training
Lambert W.T. Schuwirth2 PhD, Strategic Professor in Medical Education
Amy E Mendham1 PhD, Senior Research Officer 
AFFILIATIONS
1 Riverland Academy of Clinical Excellence (RACE), Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network, South Australia Health, Murray Bridge, SA, Australia
2 College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
ACCEPTED: 11 December 2024
early abstract:
We explore the genesis, tactics and initial outcomes of the Riverland Academy of Clinical Excellence (RACE) in addressing the chronic shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly medical practitioners, in rural communities. We describe a practical local approach to rapidly implementing national workforce policy, in this case the National Rural Generalist Pathway.
By leveraging local resources, embracing Indigenous wisdom and implementing holistic workforce strategies, RACE aims to transform the Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network (RMCLHN) into a centre of excellence. Initial outcomes include a notable increase in the medical workforce and a revitalised sense of hope for the region's healthcare future.
Keywords: healthcare strategies, medical workforce, research, rural medical education, workforce policy implementation.