RG Life Hacks

In this episode of RG Life Hacks, Dr Emily Moody speaks with Dr Stefanie Hammond, Rural Generalist from south-west Victoria with a special interest in neuroaffirming care, to bust some of the common myths surrounding ADHD.

Drawing on her own experience of being diagnosed with ADHD as a GP registrar, Stef reflects on how ADHD can go unrecognised, particularly in women, and how her diagnosis changed her approach to supporting patients. She also explores barriers to accessing diagnosis and treatment, challenging the idea that ADHD is predominantly a wealthy, inner-city phenomenon.

The conversation tackles common misconceptions about overdiagnosis, stimulant medication and whether adults who have managed without treatment really need it. Stef shares research on the risks associated with ADHD, the importance of recognition and treatment, and the role of social media in raising awareness rather than causing the condition.

This episode is essential listening for registrars wanting to challenge assumptions about ADHD, recognise it in their patients and provide more informed, neuroaffirming care in rural practice.

 

Key resources

ADHD: Assessment and Management for Rural Generalists – ACRRM online course

OctoMedEd – Dr Stefanie Hammond's resources

Research and further reading

Medication for Attention Deficit–Hyperactivity Disorder and Criminality (2012)

ADHD Pharmacotherapy and Mortality in Individuals With ADHD (2024)

Life Expectancy and Years of Life Lost for Adults With Diagnosed ADHD in the UK (2025)

Do College Students Improve Their Grades by Using Prescription Stimulants Nonmedically? (2017)

Neurocognitive, Autonomic, and Mood Effects of Adderall: A Pilot Study of Healthy College Students (2018)

Stimulant Medications Affect Arousal and Reward, Not Attention Networks (2025)

A Review of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Impact (2026)

Pharmacological Interventions for ADHD: A Systematic Review and Dose–Effect Network Meta-Analysis (2026)

 

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine. The material presented is for general information purposes only.

In this episode of RG Life Hacks, Dr Emily Moody speaks with Dr Lachlan McIver, Rural Generalist, public health physician, tropical medicine specialist and global health advocate, about how Rural Generalist skills can translate into global health.

The conversation follows Lachlan’s journey from rural and remote practice in Australia to roles with the World Health Organization and Médecins Sans Frontières. Drawing on experiences from the Torres Strait to South Sudan, he reflects on working with limited resources, adapting to unfamiliar environments and making decisions when information and support are scarce.

Lachlan also explores the generalist mindset that has shaped his career, including working across different parts of the health system, responding to uncertainty, recognising your own limits and trusting your instincts.

This episode is essential listening for registrars interested in global health and how the adaptability, breadth and problem-solving skills of Rural Generalism can be applied beyond rural Australia.

 

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine. The material presented is for general information purposes only.

In this episode of RG Life Hacks, Dr Emily Moody speaks with Professor Sally Gainsbury, Professor of Psychology at the University of Sydney, about gambling harm and the role Rural Generalists can play in recognising it early.

The conversation explores how gambling harm can remain hidden, why people may delay seeking help, and how patients may present to general practice with stress, sleep problems, financial difficulties or other concerns without identifying gambling as the underlying issue.

Sally shares practical ways to ask about gambling in a non-judgmental way, support patients who may not yet be ready to make a change, and connect them with appropriate treatment and referral pathways. She also discusses the broader impact of gambling on families and communities.

This episode is essential listening for registrars wanting practical strategies to identify gambling harm and respond confidently in general practice.

 

Key resources for gambling harm and support

Gambling Satisfaction Scale – research summary

Gambling Satisfaction Scale – full research article

BetWell

BetWell for professionals

BetWell survey

BetStop

BetBlock – App Store and Google Play

Gamban

Gambling Help Online

National Gambling Helpline: 1800 858 858

 

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine. The material presented is for general information purposes only.

In this episode of RG Life Hacks, Dr Emily Moody speaks with Dr Lara Wieland, Rural Generalist, medical educator and humanitarian doctor, about how Rural Generalist skills can translate beyond borders to humanitarian work in Ukraine.

The conversation explores what healthcare delivery looks like in war-affected communities, where damaged infrastructure, disrupted services, displacement and ongoing uncertainty exist alongside the everyday demands of chronic disease, antenatal care, mental health, paediatrics and palliative care.

Drawing on decades of experience in rural and remote Indigenous communities in Australia, Lara reflects on the adaptability, broad clinical judgement and practical problem-solving required to work safely with limited resources. She also discusses the importance of humility, listening to local clinicians and communities, and being genuinely useful rather than seeking dramatic or heroic roles.

This episode is essential listening for registrars interested in humanitarian medicine and how Rural Generalist skills can support communities beyond Australia.

 

Key resources

Only Passing Through Ukraine: https://www.passingthrough.net/ 

 

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine. The material presented is for general information purposes only.

In this episode of RG Life Hacks, Dr Emily Moody speaks with Dr Amandeep Hansra, GP and Chief Clinical Adviser at the Australian Digital Health Agency, about artificial intelligence in general practice and whether it represents a threat, a tool, or something in between for Rural Generalists.

The conversation explores how AI is already being used in clinical practice, from ambient scribing and referral letters to patient education, evidence searching, recall systems, and back-office administration. Amandeep discusses the potential for AI to support registrars in broad-scope rural practice, while reflecting on diagnostic uncertainty and clinical judgement.

The episode also unpacks the practical and professional responsibilities that come with using AI, including the importance of protecting patient privacy, checking outputs against Australian clinical guidelines, avoiding over-reliance in high-risk situations, and maintaining clinical reasoning, procedural skills, and therapeutic relationships.

This episode is essential listening for registrars who are curious about AI, want to understand its opportunities and limitations, and are looking for practical ways to use emerging technology safely while preserving the core skills of Rural Generalist practice.

 

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine. The material presented is for general information purposes only.