Coffs GP dispels FOMO fears with inspired video about regional living

Mid North Coast doctor swaps surgery for the editing room to show what it’s really like moving out of Sydney. His inspired take on regional living has even picked up an award.

Dr Shahab Shirazi has diagnosed Sydneysiders with an acute case of FOMO, but he wants you to know everything is going to be ok.

If you make the move to regional Australia that is.

Dr Shirazi left Sydney for Coffs Harbour eight years ago to complete his specialist GP training and has become a passionate advocate for regional living, spruiking the lifestyle on offer to those willing to leave a metropolitan centre.

“I am forever trying to convince my medical and non-medical friends to move away from the city,” he said.

“It is much easier to be spontaneous here without having to consider things like traffic, parking and overcrowding.

“My wife and children also have a real love for Coffs Harbour, from the great schools to the outdoors.”

Dr Shahab Shirazi and his family moved to Coffs Harbour to complete his specialist GP training.

His passion for the region led Dr Shirazi to swap his surgery at Plaza Medical Centre for the editing suite and he created an inspired video tapping into the some of the reasons city-based doctors may be cautious about moving.

Addressing the underlying issue of FOMO (fear of missing out), Dr Shirazi is adamant that regions such as Coffs Harbour are full of the same “comforts” on offer in metro areas and dispels myths about having a social life too.

“From the arts to sporting facilities, education to nature, to free parking and improved housing affordability,” he said. “You are not missing out, it is big lie if you think we don’t have all of these,” he says in his video.

“Young professionals from all walks of life are constantly moving to the regions and people are much friendlier and easier to connect with.

“Over the past eight years I no longer have the fear of missing out on city life but now appreciate how the regional centre has enriched my life and my family both personally and professionally.”

An image from Dr Shahab Shirazi video promoting the benefits of being a rural GP.

The three minute video earned Dr Shirazi first place in the GP Synergy Rural Video Competition, an award that comes with a cash prize of $3000.

Dr Shirazi said entering the competition would allow his message to be spread further.

“It is exciting that I have won, hopefully my video will allow young doctors who are thinking of training in general practice to contemplate the benefits of living and working in regional and rural centres,” he said.

“I feel my training here in the mid north coast really helped set me up to be a well-rounded GP.

“I had excellent GP supervisors and medical educators and the transition to establishing myself was such a natural and seamless process that I didn't give staying in Coffs Harbour a second thought.

“I can’t see myself coming back anytime soon, sorry Sydney.”

Coffs Harbour GP Dr Shahab Shirazi enlisted the help of other GPs living in regional areas to demonstrate the benefits of practising outside Sydney.

Attracting and retaining professionals, especially GPs, in regional Australia has become a significant issue in recent years and the flow on effects can have implications for the entire health system.

A lack of doctors can lead to increased stress on local hospitals, with those unable to find a GP often forced to present to the local emergency department instead.

Georgina van de Water, CEO of NSW and ACT GP training organisation, GP Synergy, congratulated Dr Shirazi on his video.

“Dr Shirazi’s video shows that the benefits of GP training are such that he, and many other doctors, continue working as rural and regional GPs after they complete training.”