Building a sustainable rural workforce: A continuity-based hybrid approach for rural and remote general practice

Persistent general practitioner (GP) maldistribution, declining full-time equivalent (FTE) supply in remote areas and difficulty retaining doctors place rural and remote services under pressure. Reliance on locums can preserve access but weaken continuity, while rigid employment models might be misaligned with GP preferences for flexibility and sustainable careers.

To outline a continuity-based hybrid workforce approach combining regular onsite practise with funded offsite clinical care and team support.

The approach brings established elements of visiting care, telehealth and remote team support into a more structured longitudinal arrangement. A named GP or small GP team would return regularly to the same community and remain clinically connected between visits through telehealth, results review, case discussion, education and escalation support. Success depends on culturally safe partnerships, a skilled onsite team, digital infrastructure, clinical governance and remuneration for non-face-to-face work. It should complement, not replace, resident workforce development and be evaluated for continuity, access, safety, GP wellbeing and cost.