RURAL doctors often go above and beyond to provide the best possible healthcare in the bush.

The Rural Doctors Association of Australia is giving communities the opportunities to recognise the amazing doctors they are appreciative of.

The association's president Dr Adam Coltzau encouraged people to nominate their local doctors for the prestigious Rural Doctor of the Year Award 2019.

"Rural doctors are the backbone of many healthcare services in the bush, across both primary and hospital settings,” he said.

"Our annual award aims to recognise the doctors who have gone above and beyond the call in serving their community, or towards the provision of rural health care more broadly.”

Entries for the annual award will close on July 15, with the recipient to be formally announced at the gala awards dinner of the Rural Medicine Australia 2019 conference on the Gold Coast in October.

"In many towns, rural generalist doctors provide day-to-day care through the general practice, and are the local hospital doctor, providing emergency, obstetric, anaesthetic, surgical or even aged care,” Dr Coltzau said.

Rural doctors may also bring their advanced skills to include paediatrics, advanced mental healthcare and advanced indigenous healthcare.

"Our RDAA Rural Doctor of the Year Award recognises some of the amazing rural doctors who have made a significant impact in their communities, whether it be over a short time, or spanning their whole career,” he said.

"We encourage rural communities across Australia to nominate a dedicated rural doctor for this prestigious award.”

Nominations can be made online here.