Year 2

Medicine Year 2 regional/rural program

Year 2 medical students have the opportunity to take part in a one-week regional/rural placement as part of the Monash MD program. The placement has a focus on clinical practice and involvement in community-based learning activities. Placements occur during semester 1 (April/May) and 2 (September). Approximately 120 students are placed across six regional and rural towns throughout Victoria each semester. The Year 2 program outlined below is delivered at each site.

Program objectives

After participating in the Year 2 rural health placement, students will be able to:

  • Observe elements of regional or rural health care
  • Demonstrate appropriate foundation Year 2 clinical skills, and be introduced to selected Year 3B clinical skills
  • Describe and discuss how regional and rural contexts impact on the clinical practice, and subsequent clinical and non-clinical management of patients
  • Recognise the importance of context in clinical reasoning and focused history-taking
  • Recognise the ways in which rurality can impact on health and illness
  • Recognise the impact of regional, rural and remote settings on diverse populations
  • Develop a cultural awareness of the local Indigenous population and the factors that influence their health and wellbeing
  • Recognise how links and networks between regional and rural health providers can influence the provision of rural health services
  • Reflect on the nature of a clinician’s role in a regional/rural clinical practice

Accommodation

Accommodation options include cabins, holiday apartments and motels depending on the location of your placements. All accommodation is organised by Monash Rural Health.

Code of conduct

Students on rural placements in Year 2 are operating in a workplace and community environment and are expected to behave as medical professionals. Student behaviour reflects on the University and must be compatible with the personal characteristics expected in a medical practitioner. Students must follow the expectations and instructions of their tutor/supervisor and not deviate from these without the approval of the tutor/supervisor. This includes compliance with occupational health and safety requirements.

Read the Code of Conduct for Medical Students at Monash University