Doctors for the NT supports emerging medical professionals through a new initiative that sponsors prevocational doctors as research assistants on short outreach trips across the Northern Territory (NT). These placements offer immersive, hands-on experience in both clinical and research practices within remote healthcare settings.
This pilot program was delivered in partnership with Dr. Brooke Spaeth from Flinders University and the International Centre for Point of Care Testing. Participating doctors work within Point of Care (PoC) testing programs that address key health challenges such as diabetes, respiratory infections, acute care, and chronic disease management across 20 NT sites.
Dr. Spaeth leads the acute NT PoC program, which uses devices like the Abbott i-STAT and HemoCue® to deliver rapid diagnostics. The initiative also supports First Nations workforce development by training local community members in nonclinical PoC testing. “It’s really meaningful for early-career doctors to see how research translates into health outcomes in real time,” said Dr. Spaeth.
Dr. Phoebe Blaxill described her placement in Maningrida as transformative. “Talking with clinicians and community members gave me a much deeper understanding of remote healthcare,” she said. She explored various models of rural medical practice and observed the flexibility and value of collaborative, short-term roles in under-resourced settings. “It showed me that I can be part of a system that’s community-driven and culturally responsive.”
Similarly, Dr. Julianna Wan gained powerful insights during her visit to Groote Eylandt. She was struck by the skill of remote area nurses and the critical role of PoC testing where formal lab results can take over a week. She helped launch a new PoC device providing full blood counts within minutes—an experience that deepened her passion for rural generalism and remote health research.
Doctors for the NT is a network of key NT stakeholders focused on strengthening the local medical workforce and promoting the NT as a place to live and work. Members include the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), NT Regional Training Hub (NT RTH), NT Rural Generalist Pathway Coordination Unit (RGCU), NT Primary Health Network (NT PHN), Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), and NT Health.