Living and learning while enjoying the rural experience suits Nick Aung to a tee. Finding the balance between work and lifestyle is important to Nick, as is the ability to broaden his skills and undertake further training.

``It is not just work all the time,'' he says. ``There is time to relax and experience the way of life in rural Australia. But also, the holistic approach to patient care and a more personal rapport with patients, the flexibility of how you can choose to broaden your skills and do further training in a range of areas such as obstetrics, anaesthesia and paediatrics; other specialties did not have all of the above factors,'' he says.

So far the GP training program has provided a number of highlights, including the opportunity to travel, attend various workshops and sharing experiences with other registrars.

The smaller town atmosphere in Camperdown also suits Nick well because it allows him to participate in the hospital care of the patient as well as in the clinic.

Right now, Nick is confident in his decision to live and work in rural Victoria. ``The best thing in my life at the moment is knowing I made the right career choice and that I can achieve it.''

General practice plus whatever you like! General practice provides good `generalist' training in any setting, however for Melbourne based GP, Lisa Burns, it offers lots of variety as well.  ``I like the fact I can sub-specialise in particular areas of interest such as women's health, HIV medicine, whatever you like really!''

There are other things Lisa likes about general practice including, as a young mum, the flexibility to adjust working hours to suit family life and other interests.

The support provided as a GP Registrar is also important in the training phase. ``As a registrar it is always good to have the back up of your supervisor to discuss more difficult cases and I have felt well supported as a GP Registrar.''

But the very best thing about general practice, she says, is direct patient contact. ``General practice provides a good variety of patients and experiences and also allows us to really get to know the patients and their families,'' Lisa says. ``Most of my highlights as a GP registrar are particular patients that stick in my mind: a  girl with chronic pain who we managed to wean off opiates and return to a somewhat normal life, the patient with alcohol abuse that managed to change her lifestyle and feel `fantastic - better than I've felt in years' or the old lady that hugged me and cried when I left my country placement.''

The RACGP Curriculum is a winner

Dr Naomi Harris has found the RACGP approach to general practice has ensured that she has all of the necessary skills, knowledge and approaches to handle day-to-day life as a GP. ``The curriculum was easy to follow and very logical which made completing my fellowship much more pleasant,'' she says. ``The support I have had from the RACGP has been fantastic and, through developing learning plans for each part of my training, my supervisor and I knew what I wanted to work towards to make sure that I was confident of being a GP in even the most remote locations.''

 GPs have up to three years to complete all three exam segments successfully which means that if doctors choose they can spread the cost over three years as well.

 Dr Harris is happy she chose the RACGP end point and cannot fault the standards set and maintained by the RACGP. ``I feel that I now have all the clinical skills and knowledge to work anywhere in Australia. ``I have been able to access extra services through my membership which also made the RACGP a most attractive choice.''

 Placement, support and advocacy

Like most doctors Ehab Mostokly is used to balancing the hectic commitments of a busy professional and family life as a rural GP with a special interest in paediatrics. Ehab and his family came to Australia in 2004 after nearly 20 years as a paediatrician, GP and medical administrator in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. But, when he arrived in Melbourne, he found the system was difficult to navigate.

 With the help of Rural Workforce AgencyVictoria's case management approach and their Rural Locum Relief Program, he was offered areas of interest in Victoria where he could work and his family would be happy. ``Rural Victoria is a great place to live and work,'' says Ehab. ``The country is so clean and fresh, there is no overcrowding or traffic jams.''

 Ehab works at the Moe Medical Group as a full-time GP and does two-hour shifts at St Luke Clinic in Traralgon two to three days a week.

 To help fellow international doctors, he makes time to teach in the program that helped him find work in Victoria. ``My family and I have had a lot of help since we've been in Australia. I've enjoyed practical, professional and emotional support from RWAV.''