Dr Peterson returned to general practice at the Orange Aboriginal Medical Service this week and began learning about how to work within the limits of being quadriplegic.

“I did, say, 75 per cent capacity on Monday and the Tuesday, a variety of patients, some straightforward, some not so much,” he said.

“I guess that also forces me to use the computer to print scripts write reports, print medical certificates and I was quite happy I was able to do those things.

“Interfacing with the patients is important but interfacing with the computer and software is also something I just have to do if I’m able to work and it looks like I can.”

Dr Peterson said he believed he was the only doctor with quadriplegia to be working in general practice in Australia.

He said it presented a few challenges, but after the year he has been through, he is ready for anything.

“If an examination is required that has to be done today I call in one of of my doctors, one of my other colleagues and [they] have come in and told me what they saw and have gone on their way.

“I prefer to use a doctor rather than say a medical student or a nurse just because the doctor has got more experience and the knowledge that I can rely on.”

He said being back at work was an important step in his recovery. 

“I’m very grateful for that,” he said.

VIDEO: Doctor returns to practice

“I was in hospital last week and a surgical doctor saw me and she saw me on the day of the crash and helpfully told me she thought I’d die.

“Then I went over to see my friends in the ambulance, because I’m friends with the ambulance drivers, and they said ‘yes, we thought you’d die as well’, so it is nice to be able to prove that wrong.

“I’m happy, I’m also grateful because this has only happened due to a lot of support for me medically also my employers being quite keen to have me back, and my family and friends have helped me, so there is a lot of gratitude there.”

Dr Peterson returned to Orange in September after a lengthy rehabilitation in Sydney.

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“I’ve been at work at the hospital for a couple of months but at the hospital I have been doing ‘paperworky’ things,” he said.

“This week is the first week I have been back in general practice, that is really my main job, so it’s important for me to do that and it also the most complex thing.”