For Dr Jane Hampson, getting to know families and offering ongoing support is one of the main reasons she loves being a community general practitioner.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The other reason is her passion for teaching - including her work training the next generation of Tasmanian doctors to become GPs.
It is this commitment that's seen her named the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Tasmanian GP Supervisor of 2019.
As the only registered GP supervisor at the Mowbray Medical, which she opened in 2014, Dr Hampson said it was an honour and a surprise to be recognised.
"It was very much a surprise. I didn't know anything about it until it came out," she said. "Being nominated was a shock, let alone winning the award."
Dr Hampson moved to Tasmania from England with her husband and two children in 2009.
After a few years working in Scottsdale and Bridport, she moved to Mowbray full time where she has since helped train six doctors, with another two currently under her guidance.
In other news:
For many registras, moving from a hospital setting into primary care is a significant transition.
However, the stimulation of teaching was something Dr Hampson said benefited both parties.
"It's exciting having new learners coming through and sharing experiences, skills and learning new things along the way," she said.
"They are keen and excited and it keeps me very much up to date and we like to teach them about the non-medical side of life.
"So keeping that good work-life balance and enjoying non-medical pursuits. It keeps them well and enjoying their careers."
With a shortage of GPs being felt across Australia, Dr Hampson said general practice didn't always appeal to young health professionals as an attractive work place. However, she said there were many incentives for working in Tasmania - including the lifestyle.
"Certainly from a general practice point of view, it is a great place to be, she said.
"We came from the South East of England which was very busy. It's been great to bring the kids up in this sort of environment. There's a lot more freedom."
Jessica Willard
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
