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Dr Ron Campbell, of The Oaks Medical Practice, was a community pharmacist for eight years before he switched to medicine. He initially considered specialising, but decided general practice would provide a better work/lifestyle balance as well as more varied working days.
How long have you been a GP and how long have you been practising in the Wollondilly LGA?
I was awarded fellowship of the RACGP in 2001 and have been practising in the Wollondilly LGA for 20 years at The Oaks Medical Practice. I have also been practising at Tahmoor Medical, Allied and Alternative Therapies for eight years.
When/why did you decide you wanted to become a GP?
I decided to train in medicine after working as a community pharmacist for eight years. The decision then was to either purchase a pharmacy or take a change of career. I decided to pursue medicine with a view to possibly specialising, but general practice was also an attractive option as it offered a better work-lifestyle balance and more variety of work.
What do you love most about being a GP/what part of the job gives you the most satisfaction?
I enjoy the flexibility of general practice, which allows you to gain a variety of skills, and this keeps the job interesting and challenging. It is also satisfying to see families grow and develop over time, help people through their challenging health journeys and get to know the local community members.
What is the most important thing you/your practice contributes to this community?
Our practice provides a consistent, reliable medical service to the local community and we offer a variety of services as our doctors and nurses are skilled in many areas. Our focus is on providing general medical care with an emphasis on preventative medicine and giving patients access to the choice of both conventional medicine and alternative therapies.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time I play cricket and golf, go fishing and boating, and enjoy listening to and playing music.
What do you love most about The Oaks?
The Oaks has retained its village charm over the 20 years I have been there, but it is also expanding with new housing estates and young families moving into the area to experience a semi-rural lifestyle. I enjoy interacting with the local community members, who have accepted our practice well and are always complimentary about the care we are providing.
What advice do you give your patients about maintaining good health?
We give our patients regular advice on preventative health and ideas to maintain good health. This advice needs to be individually tailored to the patient, depending on their motivation and health literacy. We encourage the basics such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, reducing stress, getting adequate good quality sleep, socialising with friends and family regularly, discussing your feelings with someone when you need to, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption and taking most things in moderation and keeping a positive outlook on life.