It's time to talk about dementia in rural Australia
Rural and remote Australians who notice changes in their own or a loved one's memory, thinking or behaviour are being encouraged to talk to their Rural Generalist doctor this Dementia Action Week (21–27 September).
ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says starting the conversation can be difficult, but people should not wait until they are certain something is wrong before seeking advice.
“Changes in memory or thinking can be confronting, and it can be tempting to put them down to getting older or avoid talking about them altogether,” Dr Martin says.
“But dementia is not a normal part of ageing, and there can be many reasons why someone's memory, thinking or behaviour changes.
“If you've noticed something that concerns you — in yourself, your partner, a parent or someone else you care about — talk to your doctor.”
From procedural and non-procedural practice to retrieval medicine, international opportunities and everything in between, ACRRM Fellowship can open the door to a career shaped around your interests, strengths and goals.
Join us, Tuesday 13 October 7:00pm AEST, as we speak to five Rural Generalists for a candid panel conversation about the choices they made, the opportunities they discovered and where Fellowship has taken them.
If you or someone you know is considering applying for ACRRM Fellowship, come along and see what your future could look like.
Online session | Wednesday 7 October at 7:00pm AEST
Join ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin and Company Secretary Nikki Parker at this Q&A session about the proposed changes to the ACRRM Constitution.
This event is your opportunity to ask questions in an informal drop-in setting about the upcoming vote on changes to the ACRRM Constitution and how these changes impact you and the College.
Members can read more about what’s being proposed on our website.
We are asking members: what impact have you seen for your patients when not being able to access the medical specialists they need?
And how can we get more medical specialists to rural and remote areas? Can you tell us about any innovative service models or effective training pathways?
The suicide rate for men in remote Australia is more than double that in major cities1 . For Rural Generalists, recognising when distress or other concerns hide in plain sight can be critical.
Movember’s Men in Mind for Primary Care is evidence-informed training helping Rural Generalists and GPs recognise how men may present and communicate, explore what sits beneath the surface, and support engagement and follow-through.
Accredited by ACRRM and the RACGP CPD programs, the course counts for two hours of Educational Activities and 30 minutes of Reviewing Performance.
1. Australian Bureau of Statistics, Intentional self-harm (suicide) deaths, 2024 data.
ACRRM Online Learning
ADHD: Assessment and management for Rural Generalists
Now available to non-members!
ADHD is increasingly part of everyday rural general practice, with patients and families seeking assessment, diagnosis and ongoing management closer to home.
The ADHD: Assessment and Management for Rural Generalists online course supports Rural Generalists to develop a practical, evidence-informed approach to ADHD across the lifespan, with a focus on clinical decision-making, referral pathways, treatment planning and co-management in rural and remote contexts.
CPD: 6 hours (Educational Activity and Performance Review)
NSW: The above course is accepted by NSW Health for the Tier 1 continuation prescribing pathway. For details on how to apply, visit the NSW ACI website.
TAS: The above course forms part of the authorisation process to diagnose and initiate treatment with Schedule 9 psychostimulants. For more details visit the Tasmanian Department of Health website.
WA: Working in WA and looking for a similar course? The RACGP ADHD GP Training Program supports eligible Western Australian Rural Generalists to train in the diagnosis and management of ADHD within primary care. For more information about eligibility and the application process, visit the RACGP website.
Healthy Ageing: The 75+ Health Check
Looking for a short course to introduce you to the Medicare 75+ health assessment and how to deliver it well in rural general practice? Enrol in the Healthy Ageing: The 75+ Health Check course; designed for Rural Generalists and primary care clinicians who want a practical overview of what to cover, how to document and bill appropriately, and how to use the assessment to identify common risks.
You'll learn to:
Perform a driving assessment, with consideration of the Austroads guidelines.
Identify the Medicare billing requirements and documentation standards for conducting a 75+ health assessment.
Outline strategies for engaging older patients in preventative health care, including approaches to discussing immunisation, falls risks, vision and hearing changes, medication issues and physical activity.
Perform a 75+ health assessment in conjunction with reviewing practice-specific processes, nursing support arrangements, and the use of templates.
ACRRM concluded its inaugural Rural Generalist Advanced Specialised Training (RG AST) Conference series with Emergency Medicine in regional Victoria from 17–19 September.
The event brought together 60 delegates, expert presenters and rural emergency clinicians for three days of learning, collaboration and professional development. The program featured engaging presentations, hands-on workshops and valuable knowledge sharing, helping strengthen the skills needed to deliver high-quality emergency care in rural communities.
ACRRM thanks Dr David Rimmer and the organising team for delivering a successful finale to the pilot program.
Digital Health
Member webinar: Insects, ticks and related allergies
Wednesday 14 October 2026, 7:00pm - 8:30pm AEST
Join us for an informative allergy assist® webinar presented by Dr Paulina Alhucema, Paediatric Clinical Immunology/Allergy Specialist and Clinical Educator for allergy assist®.
This practical webinar will explore the recognition and management of insect and tick-related allergic reactions, including reactions to bees, wasps, Jack Jumper Ants and mosquitoes, as well as tick-associated mammalian meat allergy.
Participants will learn how to distinguish common local reactions from anaphylaxis, investigate and manage insect and tick allergies, understand the role of venom immunotherapy, and provide practical advice on preventing bites and stings.
Menopause and perimenopause | Survey for healthcare professionals
This short online survey aims to capture the opinions, ideas and diverse experiences of Australian healthcare practitioners and others who provide care to those experiencing menopause or perimenopause.
The Committee asks you to identify topics you believe are most important to address – particularly areas of clinical uncertainty, emerging evidence, and where current guidance is inconsistent or lacking. Your response will directly inform which topics are prioritised for guideline development over the coming months.
The survey for healthcare professionals takes 10-15 minutes and closes at
5.00pm on Sunday 27 September.
Expression of Interest - Thriving Kids - Child Health Record Expert Advisory Group
The Australian Digital Health Agency is establishing the Thriving Kids - Child Health Record Expert Advisory Group to provide independent multidisciplinary clinical governance advice and oversight to support the design, implementation, monitoring and continuous improvement of the National Child Health Record, for which we are looking for an ACRRM representative.
ACRRM acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the custodians of the lands and waters where our members and staff work and live across Australia. We pay respect to their elders, lores, customs and Dreaming. We recognise these lands and waters have always been a place of teaching, learning, and healing.
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