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Purpose: To understand how rural doctors (physicians) responded to the emerging COVID‐19 pandemic and their strategies for coping. Methods: Early in the pandemic doctors (physicians) who practise rural and remote medicine were invited to participate through existing rural doctors' networks. Thirteen semi‐structured interviews were conducted with rural doctors from 11 countries. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded using NVivo. A thematic analysis was used to identify common ideas and narratives. Findings: Participants' accounts described highly adaptable and resourceful responses to address the crisis. Rapid changes to organizational and clinical practices were implemented, at a time of uncertainty, anxiety, and fear, and with limited information and resources. Strong relationships and commitment to their colleagues and communities were integral to shaping and sustaining these doctors' responses. We identified five common themes underpinning rural doctors' shared experiences: (1) caring for patients in a context of uncertainty, fear, and anxiety; (2) practical solutions through improvising and being resourceful; (3) gaining community trust and cooperation; (4) adapting to unrelenting pressures; and (5) reaffirming commitments. These themes are discussed in relation to the Lazarus and Folkman stress and coping model. Conclusions: With limited resources and support, these rural doctors' practical responses to the COVID‐19 crisis underscore strong problem‐focused coping strategies and shared commitments to their communities, patients, and colleagues. They drew support from sharing experiences with peers (emotion‐focused coping) and finding positive meanings in their experiences (meaning‐based coping). The psychosocial impact on rural doctors working at the limits of their adaptive resources is an ongoing concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Providing well-supported general practice (GP) training is fundamental to strengthen the primary health workforce. Research into the unique needs of GP registrars during disasters is limited. Registrar burnout and insufficient support have been associated with personal and professional detrimental effects. This study aims to explore the experiences of Australian GP registrars with learning, well-being and support from their training organisation during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to guide training organisation efforts to support registrars through future disasters., Setting: Interviews were conducted via Zoom., Participants: Fifteen GP registrars from South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales who had experienced community-based GP training in both 2019 (prepandemic) and 2020 (early pandemic)., Outcome Measures: Training, well-being and support experiences were explored. Interviews were recorded and transcribed and themes analysed., Results: Diverse experiences were reported: changes included telehealth, online tutorials, delayed examinations and social restrictions. Social and professional connections strongly influenced experiences. Personal and training factors were also important. Additional GP training organisation support was minimally needed when strong connections were in place., Conclusions: This study identifies aspects of support which shaped registrars' diverse experiences of COVID-19, particularly regarding professional and social connections. Findings illustrate the importance of broad principles around supporting registrar well-being. Particularly significant aspects of support include connection to educational mentors such as supervisors and medical educators; connection and culture within practices; opportunities to share clinical experiences; and connection to personal social supports. Participation in this global disaster contributed to registrars' developing professionalism. GP training organisations are positioned to implement monitoring and supports for registrars through disasters. Although registrars may not require significant GP training organisation intervention where powerful professional and personal connections exist, strong foundational GP training organisation supports can be established and augmented to support registrars in need before and during future disasters. These findings contribute to the global developing field of knowledge of registrar training and well-being needs during crises., Competing Interests: Competing interests: IW is currently an RACGP General Practice Registrar training with GPEx. She has won a grant through the RACGP to undertake this research project as part of her GP registrar training. RACGP and GPEx are not directly involved in conducting this research. No other member of the research team will benefit financially or otherwise from conducting this research. LW is the Director of the Adelaide Rural Clinical School and sits on ACRRM, Research and Assessment Committees, neither of which have involvement in GP registrar training. JB and TE are both staff members of GPEx. Neither participated directly in registrar interviews., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)