Medical students get first-taste of rural health services and lifestyle
Second-year medical students had the chance to experience healthcare in regional communities with a one-week rural placement last month, hosted by Monash Rural Health.
One hundred and sixty students spent a week at one of six Monash Rural Health teaching sites - Bairnsdale, Bendigo, Mildura, Sale, Traralgon and Warragul - to increase their understanding of rural and regional health systems, and the experiences of patients within these communities.
Complementing an online program of work, the rural placement experience saw students tour regional health facilities and shadow local GPs and allied health professionals, giving them a unique insight into how these services work. Students also had the opportunity to visit local farms and connect with the important services and community groups that play a vital role in rural communities such as the State Emergency Services, Country Fire Authority and Traditional Owner groups.
All students also had the opportunity to participate in Teddy Bear Hospitals with local primary schools, coordinated by the Monash Teddy Bear Hospital. These are practical, student-led sessions aimed to reduce ‘white coat anxiety’ in young children by helping them foster positive relationships with healthcare professionals.
For student Charlotte who spent the week in Bendigo, the program gave her a new insight into how rurality impacts the community’s health - and new career pathways to consider.
“This program has been an excellent learning experience for me. I not only learnt about clinical things, such as things within the hospital and general practice, but the community day heightened my knowledge surrounding rural Victoria. This experience has interested me in potentially pursuing education and training in the rural community, having seen the immense impact, hands-on experience, and necessity for doctors in the area. Living here for a week has also made me love the quiet life out here, and there is still everything you need and lots of things to do!”
Monash Rural Health Education Manager, Laura Major, emphasised the important role the Year 2 Rural Health Education Program plays in encouraging medical students to consider future rural placements or careers.
“We consistently see the positive impact that the Year 2 Rural Health Education Program continues to have, on both participating students and in our rural communities. Students who take up placements tell us that participating in the Year 2 program has enabled them to engage in the activities offered to them while on rural and regional placement,” Laura explained.
“Long term, we see the Year 2 program influencing where our students undertake their long term rural placements and possibly even their career choices. In 2024, we will have the highest number of medical students completing their final year of medical studies in a rural setting for a full year. Some of these students will go on to apply for rural internships and the benefits to our local rural communities will be seen in years to come.”
Monash Rural Health is excited to continue the Year 2 Rural Health Education Program for all second-year medical students in 2024.
