Dr. Anna Carswell, Registrar in the QRME GP training program

Name: Dr. Anna Carswell

Career stage: Registrar

Location: Goondiwindi Medical Centre - Goondiwindi, Qld

Position: Registrar

Medical Specialty: General Practice

What training program are you currently in?

I am enrolled in the Australian General Practice Training program, I plan to complete fellowships from both colleges – Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine.

What attracted you to this training program?

I was attracted to rural General Practice by the variety of medicine, chance for procedural work, and the lifestyle.

What are some of the things that you did to help you decide and plan your career to get into this training program?

I had great experiences in general practice as a student in Tasmania – especially Swansea on the East Coast. After I graduated I planned to gain a variety of experience as a resident medical officer with a view to apply to GP training – Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Anaesthetics and Emergency Medicine.

What are some of the things you enjoy most about being in your specialty or training program?

Caring for families from conception to end of life. I am really enjoying women’s health, paediatrics and skin cancer medicine. I am rewarded by having the ability to take my skills anywhere in Australia.

What advice do you have for students and junior doctors interested in your training program?

Gain a variety of experience prior to entering the GP training program – consider a postgraduate course (there are a lot of areas GPs can specialise in). Have a look at all the training providers – there are a lot more options than choosing metropolitan programs.

What do you do outside of medicine to relax?

Athletic pursuits (currently triathlons), travelling, and cooking mmm.

Dr. Carswell is part of the Queensland Rural Medical Education General Practice training program, which prepares GP Registrars for a range of General Practice situations with an emphasis on rural medicine. For more information, visit their website at www.qrme.org.au.

»Visit the General Practice specialty page