For the first time, a Sunshine Coast Health junior doctor is undertaking a rural general practice (GP) community clinic placement on the Sunshine Coast, which will offer her a glimpse into a career as a rural GP.
Sunshine Coast Health Residential Medical Officer Dr Jessie Da Cunha Costa was welcomed this week by the team at Landsborough Medical Centre, as part of the John Flynn Prevocational Doctor Program (JFPDP).
Dr Da Cunha Costa said when looking at health services to progress her medical career, she was drawn to those offering a GP placement.
“I had always considered becoming a GP, but you rarely get any of that experience as a junior doctor as there aren’t many hospitals that offer a rotation in a GP practice,” she said.
Dr Da Cunha Costa is eager to learn as much as possible throughout her 13-week placement.
“I’m particularly interested in learning the mechanics of how a GP practice works, the financial side of things and everything a GP does from receiving a patient with a discharge summary from the hospital to the patients who’ve attended the practice for decades, doing care plans, skin excisions, that sort of thing.”
Sunshine Coast Health Acting Director Medical Services Workforce Dr Marco Giuseppin said the JFPDP was a great opportunity for junior doctors.
“We know that the delivery of good quality primary care is a cornerstone of rural health, and this placement will help doctors like Jessie try to solve problems outside the hospital walls”, he said.
“Jessie will work in the GP practice and do all the things that a GP would do with the support of her GP supervisor, including routine and acute consults, minor procedures, and visits to nursing homes."
In total, five junior doctors from Sunshine Coast Health will complete rotations at Landsborough Medical Centre throughout the year, as part of their training.
Through the partnership, the JFPDP funds the clinical supervision of junior doctors, IT expenses and operational costs while Sunshine Coast Health covers the doctor's salary, travel, accommodation, and provides their rotation details.
"Our Medical Education Unit has ensured that Jessie and all the junior doctors have good supervision, a good learning plan, and access to education," Dr Giuseppin said.
Landsborough Medical Centre Practice Manager Andrea Blackmore said the clinic was proud to be investing in the education and training of the next generation of GPs.
“We are very excited to be welcoming Jessie as our first junior doctor in training under this program,” she said.
Ms Blackmore hopes the program will encourage other GP clinics to get on board and offer training placement opportunities for more junior doctors wanting to do a rotation in General Practice.
The number of available rotations under the JFPDP in Queensland has increased from 115 in 2023 to 179 in 2025.