Many rural towns are not big enough to need a full-time resident surgeon, but instead rely on visiting surgeons to provide the necessary expertise for elective cases. Often, the surgeons only stay overnight, and are then on the move again. This arrangement is very common in Australia, due to its sheer size and the widespread distribution of its towns.

In this situation, it is predominantly the general practitioner (GP) who acts as the surgical assistant. In larger towns, the surgical assisting duties may fall to a GP who has a designated interest in surgery, or the duties may be assigned via a roster system. However in many cases, the referring GP will be the surgical assistant. With the current trend of increasing medical undergraduate exposure to the rural environment, most regional centres will have medical students available to act as surgical assistants. While many of the concepts of assisting have been covered elsewhere in the text, there are several points which should be highlighted.

Tips for the GP

If you are new to a particular region or town, introduce yourself to the operating theatre staff. This helps to break the ice and ensure that you are on a good footing with the nursing staff. When introducing yourself to the surgeon, always call them by their correct title to begin with, and then let them tell you, ‘Please call me Bob’, etc.

Punctuality is of the essence as the visiting surgeon is often on a tight schedule, and will not appreciate being kept waiting.