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Julia Kim
2025 AMSA Rural Psychiatry Placement Bursary Reflection
Julia Kim
Medical Student 4th year at Flinders University
My psychiatry placement in Mount Gambier was one of the highlights of my year. I wasn’t sure what to expect having never lived in Mount Gambier, but the mental health team was incredibly welcoming and made me feel part of things straight away. I wasn’t just observing; I had real opportunities to lead reviews, join consult liaison, see patients in the ED and head out with the community team. That variety helped me grow in confidence, while knowing there was always support around me.
One of the things I enjoyed most was the strong sense of community. People would greet me in the corridor with a smile and the barista remembered my coffee order by the third day. I got to know colleagues I’ll likely see again when I start internship in Mount Gambier, and those connections already make the transition to next year feel easier.
Clinically, the placement showed me what psychiatry looks like in a regional setting. Resources (like depot medications) aren’t always as easily accessible as in the city, but I saw how adaptability and teamwork make care possible. There was also a stronger connection to community services; the mental health team knew their patients well and worked closely with local supports, which added another dimension to care. It also struck me how important relationships are in rural psychiatry. Not only within the team, but also with patients and the wider community.
At the same time, I became more aware of the challenges. Retention of doctors and psychiatrists is clearly an issue, and the impact of shortages is felt across the service. It made me realise how important it is to not only train doctors rurally, but also support them to stay. This added another layer to my reflections that choosing to work in a place like Mount Gambier is not just about career, but also about commitment to a community that really needs it.
On a personal level, the experience has shifted how I think about my career. I used to picture myself in metropolitan psychiatry, but now I can see the value and the satisfaction of working rurally. The work feels impactful, and the learning environment was both supportive and challenging in the best way. Overall, this placement confirmed my passion for psychiatry and gave me a deeper appreciation of rural health.
My psychiatry placement in Mount Gambier was one of the highlights of my year. I wasn’t sure what to expect having never lived in Mount Gambier, but the mental health team was incredibly welcoming and made me feel part of things straight away. I wasn’t just observing; I had real opportunities to lead reviews, join consult liaison, see patients in the ED and head out with the community team. That variety helped me grow in confidence, while knowing there was always support around me.
One of the things I enjoyed most was the strong sense of community. People would greet me in the corridor with a smile and the barista remembered my coffee order by the third day. I got to know colleagues I’ll likely see again when I start internship in Mount Gambier, and those connections already make the transition to next year feel easier.
Clinically, the placement showed me what psychiatry looks like in a regional setting. Resources (like depot medications) aren’t always as easily accessible as in the city, but I saw how adaptability and teamwork make care possible. There was also a stronger connection to community services; the mental health team knew their patients well and worked closely with local supports, which added another dimension to care. It also struck me how important relationships are in rural psychiatry. Not only within the team, but also with patients and the wider community.
At the same time, I became more aware of the challenges. Retention of doctors and psychiatrists is clearly an issue, and the impact of shortages is felt across the service. It made me realise how important it is to not only train doctors rurally, but also support them to stay. This added another layer to my reflections that choosing to work in a place like Mount Gambier is not just about career, but also about commitment to a community that really needs it.
On a personal level, the experience has shifted how I think about my career. I used to picture myself in metropolitan psychiatry, but now I can see the value and the satisfaction of working rurally. The work feels impactful, and the learning environment was both supportive and challenging in the best way. Overall, this placement confirmed my passion for psychiatry and gave me a deeper appreciation of rural health.
