Rural resilience: A collaborative autoethnographic study of medical radiation practitioners

Medical radiation practitioners (MRPs) in rural Australia navigate complex clinical and social environments. A dominant 'deficit' perspective frames rural health through a lens of disadvantage highlighting poor health outcomes, lack of services, and limited workforce capacity. Yet, this narrative often overlooks the strengths, adaptability, and innovations within rural practice. Collaborative Autoethnography (CAE) was used to explore the lived experiences of three MRPs practicing in rural Australia. Each participant contributed personal narratives and participated in recorded reflective dialogues. These were transcribed and thematically analysed, drawing on both individual and collective insights. A comprehensive literature review contextualised the findings, contrasting deficit-based and strengths-based perspectives of rural health. The findings revealed four key insights. Rural patients often receive higher cumulative radiation doses due to repeat imaging, driven by limited access to specialists and perceived inadequacies in local services. Staff shortages and high turnover have led to an overreliance on generalist MRPs, with minimal access to continuing professional development (CPD), resulting in skill degradation and reduced job satisfaction. Practitioners also face personal barriers to healthcare access, including compromised privacy and difficulty taking leave for their own medical needs, contributing to delayed treatment and feelings of guilt. Despite these challenges, many MRPs experience a strong sense of fulfilment from community integration, the ability to influence care directly, and the opportunity to practice holistically across modalities. The study highlights systemic issues that constrain rural MRPs, while also acknowledging the intrinsic value and innovation present in rural healthcare practice. Improving access to CPD, enabling protected leave, standardising imaging protocols, and investing in rural generalist pathways are essential to enhance workforce sustainability and healthcare equity in rural Australia.