4 minute read
Interview with David Outen – Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory
After more than 2 decades in East Arnhem Land, David Outen has become a familiar and trusted face in remote imaging across the Northern Territory. From establishing ultrasound services in Nhulunbuy to delivering outreach clinics across East Arnhem communities, David has witnessed firsthand the evolution of healthcare in one of Australia’s most remote regions.
Over that time, what changes have you seen in sonography and healthcare delivery in the Territory?
The position in Nhulunbuy many years ago was pure radiography, but I brought ultrasound into the mix and worked as a sole practitioner until 2018.
Service expansion saw us employ another rad/ sono, and we began on outreach service – flying to East Arnhem communities to deliver ultrasound locally. This has been a great success, resulting in an expansion of healthcare to very remote communities.
You’ve been working in the Northern Territory for over 20 years. What first brought you here? What has kept you in the NT?
I moved here from Darwin when my kids were young and fell in love with the place. Gove is perfect for young families – the streets are safe; there are beautiful local beaches and camping spots. If you are into fishing, it is a paradise!
As my children have grown and moved away, I have stayed, overseeing a growing medical imaging department and building a small empire.
In 2021, Gove District Hospital installed a CT scanner, and we slowly expanded by employing another radiographer.
The outreach ultrasound is challenging but fun. Flying to work in a small plane beats a traffic jam any day!
We have recently gained another sonography position and plan to increase ultrasound services remotely so that we visit each community twice per month. The technological developments in high quality, truly portable ultrasound over the years have made this possible.
What are the most common types of cases or imaging needs you see in Nhulunbuy?
Our population base in town is very young, so there is a lot of obstetric scanning.
A high rate of rheumatic heart disease, diabetes, renal disease and Hep B keeps us busy with abdominal and renal work.
Apart from that, there is the usual mix of small parts, MSK and vascular that you would find anywhere.
How do you approach working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and what have you learned from that experience?
I have found East Arnhem Land to be one of the last places in Australia where Indigenous culture still survives – even thrives. If you get the chance to visit the Garma Festival, I recommend it, where local culture is on display.
There are cultural differences which everyone learns about when first employed, and I have studied the local language – Yolngu Matha, at CDU in Darwin, and can speak a little to clients, which makes them feel more at home in a modern hospital setting.
What are some of the practical challenges of delivering imaging services in such a remote part of Australia?
A lot of our clients live very remotely, requiring a long drive across dirt tracks or a light plane to access hospital services.
We don’t have a local radiologist on-site, so we mostly run the show ourselves, but we can call Darwin for advice when needed. The outreach ultrasound is challenging but fun. Flying to work in a small plane beats a traffic jam any day!
After two decades in the NT, what do you find most rewarding about your work, and what advice would you give to others considering remote practice?
I enjoy working with a small team of radiographers and sonographers. There is more responsibility, and we feel more appreciated in the hospital.
Being in a small hospital (33 beds) means I know every staff member – conversations are friendly and positive, and less combative than at larger workplaces.
I am on call for CT, X-ray and ultrasound – and my day involves moving between all 3 modalities – so there is a lot of variety, which I enjoy greatly.
If work in the city is getting you down, whether that is the long commutes or unfriendly work environments – I would definitely recommend a change, and a remote hospital ultrasound might be just what you need!
Give it a go at least once in your career!
