Didn’t Want Rural… Now I Wouldn’t Trade It - Dr Joe Wong

So you’ve just received your internship allocation… and it’s rural. For some junior doctors, that moment can bring mixed feelings, especially if they were hoping for a metro hospital.

That’s exactly how Dr Joe Wong initially felt.

Growing up in Malaysia and studying medicine overseas, Joe assumed the biggest hospitals in Melbourne were the best places to train. Like many medical students, his understanding of the system came largely from online forums, rankings and what others said about “prestigious” hospitals.

Instead of a metro internship, Joe was allocated to the Gippsland Rural Intern Training (GRIT) program.

One year on, his perspective has completely changed.

Now a PGY2 doctor at the West Gippsland Healthcare Group in Warragul, Joe says working in a rural hospital gave him more hands-on experience, closer mentorship and a supportive workplace culture that helped him transition into the Australian health system.

In this episode, Joe shares:

• Why he initially felt disappointed about a rural internship.

• The pressure many graduates feel to work in “prestigious” hospitals.

• How rural training can provide broader clinical exposure.

• The value of smaller teams, stronger relationships and supportive colleagues

For more information about the study and training opportunities across regional Victoria, head to the Monash Rural Health website.

The North West Victoria and Gippsland Regional Training Hubs have commissioned this podcast to help medical students and junior doctors learn more about training and practising medicine in regional Australia. Find your nearest Regional Training Hub here.