The basic and advanced/specialised courses above serve a useful purpose to allow safe practice. As far as administrators and employers are concerned, this is the minimum standard. Furthermore, many of these courses are not aimed at the rural environment – it can be frustrating for rural doctors to attend upskilling events delivered by specialists, to be told that they must use techniques and equipment that is available in tertiary centres only.

Clearly there is a need for a course showcasing relevant concepts from the FOAMed revolution to rural doctors. Ideally such a course should be :

• delivered on site using local facilities and staff
• showcase FOAMed concepts using hands on practical skills sessions
• use simulation with local staff (doctors and nurses)
• evolve over time to reflect current ‘best practice’
• allow core material common to all rural doctors (eg: primary care and emergency medicine)
• allow streaming for proceduralists (anaesthetics, obstetrics, surgery)
• be backed up by quality FOAMed resources
• be delivered “by rural doctors for rural doctors”
  

November 2013 saw the inaugural ‘Masterclass in Rural Medicine’ on Kangaroo Island with 24 delegates from around Australia and short lectures from interesting speakers, as well as hands-on skill and sim stations across emergency, anaes, surgery & obstetrics for the rural doctor.

Read reviews from KIDocs and NomadicGP

The RDASA (rural doctors association of South Australia) have indicated they will continue an annual programme each year as part of their conference  delivering FOAMed to the rural cadre.