Monash medical students return to rural roots
Over 240 Monash medical students have started clinical placement in rural communities across Victoria this semester. The students, supported by Monash Rural Health, will complete a range of placements in both hospital and primary care settings in Gippsland and north west Victoria.
For several students, it’s a chance to study medicine close to home. Third-year medical student, Jack Kirby, grew up in Cardross and will complete his first clinical placement in Mildura.
“As this is my first time in a clinical setting I’m looking forward to seeing how a hospital operates, learning new skills and meeting a heap of new people. Having been away for the past few years I am also excited to be home and being surrounded with family and friends.”
Similarly, End-to-End Rural Cohort student, Eva Jan from Bendigo, was excited to be starting her first placement at Bendigo Health.
“It’s different being on the healthcare worker side than on the patient side, because I’ve been here a few times, so it’s really interesting but really lovely being home.”
As an End-to-End Rural Cohort student, Eva will complete the majority of her clinical placements in rural north west Victoria, as part of the Federal Government funded Murray-Darling Medical School Network initiative. Established in 2021, this is the first year for Monash that there are End-to-End Rural Cohort medical students in every year level.
For fourth-year Daniel Patchett from Drouin, completing his speciality rotations at West Gippsland Healthcare Group, meant he could stay connected to his local community and play another season with his soccer club, the Drouin Dragons.
“It's been great to be able to be at Warragul, both because it's home and because it's been an excellent experience so far. I'm looking forward to either doing some of my postgraduate training or practising here in the future. The paediatric team has been very welcoming and I've been learning heaps.”
Final year student Dianne Sanders will spend the year at Latrobe Regional Health in Traralgon. She has completed all her placements in the region and lives locally with her young family, and feels her local knowledge and experience are an asset to her studies.
“I love being a local and serving local people. Clinically, I think it is a huge advantage to understand the demographics of the local population and have a genuine understanding of the barriers rural people face, preventing them from accessing healthcare.”
Rural placements are increasing in popularity - with all medical students irrespective of their backgrounds - according to Head of School, Professor Shane Bullock.
“Rural placements offer a high degree of hands-on learning and patient access, as students are usually part of smaller clinical teams,” explained Professor Bullock.
“We are seeing that Monash students who complete rural placements are excelling in their clinical and professional skills, setting them up for success in their future careers. For example, one of our students won the Christine McMenamin Professionalism Award last year, recognising her high level of professionalism with her patients and peers.”
Rural medical placements also offer unique opportunities for students both clinically and personally, according to Professor Bullock, with access to mentoring programs and opportunities to get involved in health research and volunteering.
“Medical students are warmly welcomed by rural communities and seen as valued members of a healthcare team. They also offer a unique experience for students to embed themselves within a rural community whether that’s a semester or the whole year. We encourage students to make the most of this unique experience and use it as an opportunity to explore what living and working in a rural community offers.”
Monash Rural Health has eight teaching sites across regional Victoria and delivers Monash University’s internationally recognised medical program, as well as providing support for nursing and allied health students while on placement.