ABOUT
The FARMERS Model is an outcome of the “Towards a Homegrown Workforce” FATES Round 3 project, titled “College-led consortium approach to co-designing and establishing transferable and sustainable accredited rural-centric specialist training, with implementation of a proof-of-concept dermatology training model in Western NSW.” This project was a collaboration led by the Australasian College of Dermatologists from 2024 - 2026.
BACKGROUND
One objective of this project was to develop an implementation framework for rural-centric specialist training models for Dermatology in Western NSW. The wider project aimed to demonstrate and document practical approaches to overcoming common, generalisable barriers to rural-based specialist training.
The goal was to create viable pathways that enable both training and transition to specialist practice to occur locally within rural communities. This resource has been designed to support and empower other rural and regional locations, as well as different medical disciplines, to establish and sustain their own rural-centric training positions and pathways.
METHOD
Recognising that the project was informed by extensive experience and anecdotal evidence from within the sector, a formal research framework was established to build a peer-reviewed evidence base to support and validate the work already being undertaken nationally.
This project adopted a qualitative methodology, engaging diverse stakeholders involved in and with Regional Training Hubs nationally. The aim was to draw on their lived experiences to inform the development of a practical resource that could support colleges and clinicians in establishing similar rural training pipelines.
Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and focus groups with key industry stakeholders, particularly Regional Training Hub staff. An iterative analysis of these insights has informed the findings presented in this resource, as well as accompanying peer-reviewed literature currently under development.
RESEARCH OUTPUT
NRHC abstract goes here (a job for Pip to do lmao i have no idea bruv)