How locum doctors can work and travel together: Don and Janes Story
Don and Jane have been locum doctors for some time and are one of several couples that enjoy the locum life together.
Being a locum doctor allows you to combine travel and work in just about every location. Did you know that locuming also gives you the chance to work and travel with your partner or friends? We caught up with two of our favourite locum doctors to hear their story.
Dr Don McQuistan met Dr Jane Allen at university, both studying medicine, and married during the end of their final year. Jane reflects,
“As a child I wanted to study medicine and become a missionary doctor in Africa. Dons' foray into medicine was a little different. He achieved the marks needed for medical school and all his friends were doing it. By the time we completed our internships, we were focused on getting skills which we thought would be useful in rural and overseas general practice.”
Traveling was very much something they wanted to do together. Both Don and Jane were fortunate to work with some great clinical teachers in rural hospitals in both Alice Springs and Tasmania… two very different landscapes with their own unique challenges and rewards.
“After each doing a year of a Masters in Tropical Health through the University of Queensland with 6 months course work in Brisbane and 6 months doing fieldwork in rural Thailand we headed overseas. We worked in a Catholic Mission Hospital in rural Zimbabwe for 2 years." Jane’s lifelong ambition, was achieved.
Jane and Don returned to Australia and spent many years living and working in the rural town of Port Augusta, at the head of Spencer Gulf in South Australia. They worked together in the Indigenous Health Service, where Don enjoyed his position as Director for 5 years. Shortly thereafter Don moved into private practice with ongoing after-hours work for the local hospital, while Jane also worked in a private clinic with hospital inpatients, during the ensuing years.
“We retired from regular general practice in June 2022 and are transitioning to full retirement but feel we still have some skills to offer in medicine. Locum work allows us to pursue our passion for travel and in particular long-distance walking while continuing our interest in general practice.”
“We really enjoy visiting small rural towns, meeting new people and finding all the best walking spots. In particular we like to go back to Tasmania and do some of our favourite walks and discover new ones. We have returned to Queenstown on a number of occasions... it's is a unique town with a very supportive health team and we can access some of the best walks in Australia from Cradle Mountain to Strahan to Lake St Clair within 90 minutes of driving.”
With their locum contracts, Jane and Don have the flexibility to work full time, each with their own role, and sometimes they share one job. The opportunity to share the one locum, means they each have their own downtime to enjoy and to re-charge. Jane loves birdwatching while Don is working and Don enjoys a game of tennis while Jane is busy in the practice… and just recently they have bought a caravan.
Like many of our locum doctors, Jane and Don like to secure repeat bookings at the same practice. Supportive staff, workload and well-equipped and managed facilities influence their decision to take on work at the same sites. And of course they enjoy the continuity of care they can provide to patients
“Our intention was to find a few places we could go to intermittently and build a relationship with the clinic and patients in the community. We choose practices where we have the support of a hospital and colleagues.
“We have especially enjoyed working in Aboriginal Health Services There are of course challenges. The medicine is not the greatest challenge although it is good to be up to speed on some of the conditions more common in remote and rural areas which are not seen so often in suburban general practice. The challenges are mostly learning referral pathways and computer programs”.
Don and Jane At Mt Isa's Gidgee Healing
“At present, we are enjoying a four-week locum in Mt Isa at Gidgee Healing and are returning towards the end of the year for a summer locum. My biggest fear was the risk of violence in the practice but there is zero tolerance for poor behaviour and I have loved working here. It has also been a joy to explore the bush which is so close to the town with fantastic bird-watching opportunities.”
Locuming allows Jane and Don to combine their ideal lifestyle with their love for clinical practice.
“If you are thinking of doing a locum just do it! Ochre will give you good guidance so you can match your skill level to an appropriate position.”
Thank you so much Jane for your insights and for sharing your story. We’re lucky to be working with you both and are grateful for the level of care that you provide to our communities.
Our Australian Indigenous Health, General Practice, Rural Generalist and Emergency Medicine Teams are perfectly placed to assist you, your partner or friends with locum jobs in your preferred destinations just like we have with Jane and Don. Our New Zealand Team will help you plan your next NZ adventure.
Please reach out to us should you wish to explore locuming either by youself or with your partner or friends. Tell us where you want to go and we’ll take you there.
