It has taken years of lobbying and negotiation, but Australia is finally creating a national rural generalist training pathway for the coming generations of rural doctors.

But while regarded as a major political achievement, some have questioned whether the focus is misplaced, whether it will be used to push for the recognition of rural medicine as a specialty distinct from general practice.

Here Dr Ewen McPhee, who has just completed his term as ACRRM president, responds. 

Australian Doctor: The rapid progress with the rural generalist training pathway in recent years must be one of your proudest achievements as ACRRM president?