The Rural Training Pathways Congress 2023 provided a platform to engage with the complexities of rural healthcare, offering valuable insights and opportunities for critical analysis. As a participant and RANZCP Psychiatry Interest Forum scholar, I had the chance to attend the Congress and be involved in discussions with healthcare professionals, councillors and policy makers regarding healthcare achievements and future objectives in the Gippsland region. 

Interactions with peers also proved stimulating and beneficial, fostering collaborative discourse and exposing the diversity of perspectives within the medical community. The luncheon at the Traralgon Butter Factory was a lovely balance of light conversation and insightful discussion following a speech regarding the experiences of a postgraduate medical student as a rural-based mentee. 
The firsthand information on support programs for rural health practitioners contributed practical dimensions to the academic discourse, highlighting the importance of incorporating such elements into future events. 

The preview of Latrobe Regional Health facilities was fantastic, offering tangible exposure to regional career opportunities. There was the opportunity to have a detailed exploration of the unique challenges inherent in rural practice while exploring the new hospital space. The Congress illuminated the potential impact of a regional medical career, providing a firsthand glimpse into practitioners' distinctive opportunities and challenges. 

The evening at De Grandi’s Winery, featuring speeches on the prior year's successes, facilitated networking with healthcare professionals and counsellors. This segment added a practical layer to the academic discourse, offering insights into the real-world implications of healthcare policies, and was also a lovely summary to the Congress. 

Key takeaways: 

• Diverse perspectives: Interactions with colleagues underscored the necessity of embracing diverse opinions within the medical community, emphasising the importance of collaborative discourse. 
• Practical dimensions: Firsthand information on support programs demonstrated the significance of integrating practical insights into academic discussions advocating for structured forums in future events. 
• Regional insights: The preview of Latrobe Regional Health facilities shed light on the potential impact of a regional medical career, providing valuable insights into practitioners' unique opportunities and challenges. 

The Training Pathways Congress offered unique insights and demonstrated an opportunity for rural-based career development. I truly enjoyed this experience and am grateful to have been included in the focused discussions, structured forums and exploration of challenges and solutions specific to rural practice. 

- Britney Pham, medical student

This opportunity is made available by the RANZCP's Psychiatry Interest Forum, to find out about upcoming opportunities visit the PIF opportunities page.