{"id":64,"date":"2025-05-21T08:56:11","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T22:56:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/escope.ages.com.au\/november-2025\/?p=64"},"modified":"2025-10-23T15:00:27","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T05:00:27","slug":"life-and-work-as-a-regional-gynaecologist-an-interview-with-dr-lauren-kite","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/escope.ages.com.au\/october-2025\/life-and-work-as-a-regional-gynaecologist-an-interview-with-dr-lauren-kite\/","title":{"rendered":"Life and Work as a Regional Gynaecologist: An Interview with Dr Lauren Kite"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\n\t\t\tLife and Work as a Regional Gynaecologist: An Interview with Dr Lauren Kite\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t

Dr Lauren Kite
MBBS, FRANZCOG, FFPMANZCA, MClinTRes
Broome Health Campus, Broome, Western Australia<\/em><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"Dr\n\t\t\t\t

Regional obstetrics and gynaecology offers a career rich in challenge, variety, and community impact. Few embody this better than Dr Lauren Kite, who moved with her family from Sydney to Broome, Western Australia, three years ago. Lauren and I first met serendipitously at a wedding many years ago on the Amalfi Coast, and since then it has been a pleasure to get to know her professionally and to watch her take the leap to my home state, where she now practises in one of our most spectacular regions.<\/p>\n

In this interview, Lauren reflects on her journey into medicine, her passion for pelvic pain management, the unique rewards and challenges of regional practice, and her vision for the future of women’s health in regional Australia.<\/p>\n\t\t\t

Your story<\/h3>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t

Can you tell us a little about your personal story and professional background, and what led you to work in regional Western Australia?
<\/strong>I grew up in Sydney and began my medical career on the Central Coast of New South Wales. After training in Sydney and Newcastle, I returned to Sydney for my fellowship and ended up as the Gynae Pain Fellow with Dr Thierry Vancaillie, then completed a Pain Medicine Fellowship. Most of my private practice there involved pelvic pain and menopause with a little general gynaecology.<\/p>\n

One day, while rocking my sleep-averse third child to sleep, I saw an advertisement for a position in Broome. Life in Sydney was fine, but it was very full, and I was spending over two hours a day commuting. The Broome role looked like an adventure. I thought my husband would say no – but instead he said, “Let’s go.” We planned to stay a year, but it’s been such a positive experience for my family that we’ve stayed far longer.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

You completed a Pain Medicine Fellowship in Sydney. What drew you to gynaecology, and then to pain management?
<\/strong>Initially, I wanted to operate, and I thought working with Thierry would sharpen my surgical skills. Pain patients were always the ones I found hardest to manage in clinic, because it was difficult to know what to do for them. The more I worked in that fellowship, the more I realised how little I knew about pain and how important it was to learn. That set me on the path to a fellowship with the Faculty of Pain Medicine.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

What does your current clinical practice involve?
<\/strong>In Broome, my clinics are much more varied. I still see patients with pelvic pain, and we have set up a combined clinic with myself and our women’s health physiotherapist. I love the variety, though not all of it as much – fertility is not my favourite. But I do appreciate that it keeps me connected to all areas of O&G. And of course I do obstetrics up here too.<\/p>\n\t\t\t

Regional work<\/h3>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t

What do you love most about working in a regional setting?
<\/strong>The lifestyle. I can cycle to work in 20 minutes, or drive in ten. That balance means more time with my family. Clinically, I enjoy the mix. While pain management is my wheelhouse, the breadth of practice in Broome keeps me engaged. Our team of doctors, GP obstetricians, midwives, and theatre staff are wonderful to work with.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

What are some of the biggest challenges you face working in a regional centre?
<\/strong>Distance is the biggest one. WA is unique – patients often need to be transferred long distances for care, and there are only three retrieval jets in the whole state. If one is out of service, the wait can be long. Decisions need to be made early.<\/p>\n

Access to conferences and face-to-face training is also harder; it’s not just an afternoon away, it’s several days out.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

Are there unique advantages to working regionally?
<\/strong>Definitely. We discuss patients more often than I would have in a tertiary centre, because care is so shared between us. That collaboration is invaluable. The other advantage is lifestyle – being able to see my family, exercise, and socialise while doing meaningful work.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

What role have mentors or colleagues played in supporting your regional work?
<\/strong>A huge role. You have to adapt how you practise compared with a tertiary centre – making decisions earlier, sometimes transferring patients you\u00a0might<\/em>\u00a0have managed in the city. Having supportive colleagues to discuss these decisions with has been essential.<\/p>\n

I also see more of the uncommon stuff up here, and mentors who have “seen it all” are an incredible resource. It’s not unusual for me to send a quick text to a colleague after seeing an interesting case!<\/p>\n\t\t\t

AGES<\/h3>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t

How did you first get involved with AGES?
<\/strong>I joined early in my career, before fellowship, because I was eager for surgical training. I presented at conference interviews and attended several AGES meetings. More recently, I organised the Perth AGES ASM pain session as part of the local organising committee, which was very rewarding.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

What has your membership with AGES meant to you?
<\/strong>At first it was all about surgery – I loved watching expert operators and learning new techniques. Now I value that AGES also covers broader aspects of gynaecology, including pain medicine and care before and after surgery. It’s been an important professional community.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

How accessible are AGES educational opportunities for regional members?
<\/strong>Accessibility depends where you are. I think, if you’re in regional NSW or Victoria it’s probably a little easier; WA is harder. Online webinars help, but tailoring sessions to regional realities is important. For example, at one complication workshop, the advice for a major vessel injury was “wait for the vascular surgeon.” In Broome, that could mean, with a miracle, six hours, likely much<\/em> longer. We need practical alternatives. I’d love to see more structured support, such as funded surgical mentors visiting regional centres, or regional fellows travelling to gain case-based experience.<\/p>\n\t\t\t

The future, training, and women’s health<\/h3>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t

How accessible are AGES educational opportunities for regional members?
<\/strong>Accessibility depends where you are. I think, if you’re in regional NSW or Victoria it’s probably a little easier; WA is harder. Online webinars help, but tailoring sessions to regional realities is important. For example, at one complication workshop, the advice for a major vessel injury was “wait for the vascular surgeon.” In Broome, that could mean, with a miracle, six hours, likely much<\/em> longer. We need practical alternatives. I’d love to see more structured support, such as funded surgical mentors visiting regional centres, or regional fellows travelling to gain case-based experience.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

Do you mentor junior doctors or trainees?
<\/strong>We don’t have FRANZCOG trainees in Broome, but we do supervise GP registrars doing advanced procedural training. Many of our interns and RMOs are interested in regional careers, so we work hard to make O&G appealing and to nurture GP obstetricians. They’re essential in rural Australia.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

How can we encourage more young specialists to consider regional careers?
<\/strong>Exposure is key. Training programs like FROGS (the FRANZCOG Rural O&G Specialist Pathway<\/a>) are fantastic, because once people experience the lifestyle and variety, many realise how rewarding it is.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

Is there a moment in your career you’re particularly proud of?
<\/strong>One of the most momentous milestones was attaining my FRANZCOG fellowship. At the time, I don’t think I realised how significant it was until it happened. I remember working in the pain unit at Royal North Shore, and when the announcement went out, I received so many warm congratulations from colleagues. It really struck me then just how big an achievement it was.<\/p>\n

I’m also very proud of setting up the combined pelvic pain clinic in Broome with our physiotherapist. It has streamlined care and, I hope, made a real difference for patients in the region. Both of those moments stand out as highlights in my career so far.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

What do you enjoy outside of medicine?
<\/strong>Exercise, sport, family time, and making the most of the outdoors lifestyle in Broome. Being on Cable Beach is one of my favourite things. You do not get tired of the sunsets. I also love camping, and recently I’ve gotten really into fermenting – sourdough, kefir, yoghurt, homemade soda, and kraut. It’s so good for the microbiome!<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

Any words of wisdom for trainees or early-career gynaecologists?
<\/strong>Take opportunities when they come, especially if they spark your interest. Don’t feel locked into one path – if something new excites you and there’s a way to make it happen, even if it’s not the easiest route, give it a try. Don’t be afraid to take the leap. Moving to Broome felt a little crazy at the time, but it’s been one of the best decisions of my life. Regional practice offers the chance to grow, collaborate, and live a truly balanced life.<\/p>\n\t\t\t

In conclusion…<\/h3>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t

Dr Lauren Kite’s journey highlights both the challenges and immense rewards of regional obstetrics and gynaecology. From her beginnings in Sydney to her leadership in Broome, her story illustrates the importance of adaptability, collaboration, and a willingness to embrace new experiences. For trainees and early-career gynaecologists, her advice is clear: regional practice offers not just professional growth, but also a deeply fulfilling lifestyle and the opportunity to make a lasting difference in women’s health.<\/p>\n\t

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