A role worthy of support. The general practitioner in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health

The Rural Faculty of The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has received funding from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing to work in partnership with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and other key organisations in supporting the professional and personal needs of GPs and general practice registrars working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health throughout Australia.

This paper highlights the support and training needs of GPs and general practice registrars and outlines a wide variety of activities undertaken to meet these needs.

While the improved resources and access to training and support resulting from this work will benefit many GPs and general practice registrars, there is urgent need to continue to support GPs in order to address problems of recruitment and retention of doctors working in Aboriginal health and thus assist in improving the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.