COVID–19 pandemic and rural generalism

“New Zealanders recently learnt that the first COVID-19 patient death occurred in Greymouth Hospital. What has been most revealing for local clinicians is the effect on our workforce. Simultaneously 21 staff members have been put into self-isolation.” Read the full article here Open Access in the NZMJ.

Senior managers and clinicians agreed in November 2018  that the full spectrum of care delivered by rural generalists, encompassed in the Cairns Consensus statement, is needed for the WCDHB to have a stable SMO workforce. 

Specifically, this means the ability to work across the spectrum of primary care, emergency and hospital services (targeting areas like internal medicine, obstetrics and anaesthetics). It also encompasses a population health approach and the ability to do this as part of a multi-professional and multi-disciplinary team of colleagues within a system of care.

How has the rural generalist model helped or hindered the rural response to COVID19 where you work?

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