Creating a centre of excellence in rural health care: strategy, tactics and initial outcomes of the Riverland Academy of Clinical Excellence

Despite decades of government and professional efforts, small rural communities across Australia continue to grapple with a chronic shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly medical personnel. In rural South Australia, where general practices had been chronically understaffed for many years, the Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network (RMCLHN) created the Riverland Academy of Clinical Excellence (RACE) to focus on training a clinical workforce to ensure sustainable care for rural communities. This Personal View outlines the strategies and tactics employed by RMCLHN to address enduring medical workforce challenges and reports on the success of the RACE.