An assignment to rural placement can be an anxious and uncertain time for a student. Concerns about the quality of accommodation, social support, the difference in education, and the general lifestyle immediately run through the mind of anybody that has received notification of rural allocation.
Here are some important things to think about:
You WILL get access to the educational resources you need – Some things are done differently in the rural system, but by no means does different equal deficient.
You WILL find yourself with more time on your hands - Commutes to placement while living in rural Victoria rarely exceed 10 minutes by car or 15 minutes by foot, and likewise for places such as supermarkets, petrol stations, and sporting facilities.
You WON’T be alone – Rural sites typically have smaller groups than metro sites, fostering a strong community vibe with plenty of support from people in the same shoes as you. Although you may feel isolated from things going on back in Melbourne on occasion, it’s not impossible to make a trip home for the events that matter to you.
You WILL be well supported by Monash staff – The staff of the rural health team are exceptionally skilled at coordinating placement, keeping accommodation in perfect condition, and standing up for your best interests in liaison with the hospital.
People WILL embrace you if you put yourself out there – There are boundless opportunities to be involved in the community in many ways, such as sports clubs, tutoring, volunteering, or even mentoring other med students at your site.
Your voice WILL be heard – One of the biggest benefits of a smaller rural cohort is that almost every aspect of your education is flexible and customisable, so if a certain system isn’t working for you, you can speak up and be heard immediately.
You DON’T have to do it like others have – Friends and colleagues will tell you stories about how they did rural placement, whether that be driving back to Melbourne every chance they got, or the opposite. What’s important to remember is that you can find that balance yourself.
lacements. All my tasks whirling round in my head, can’t switch off at night. Nothing I did today was right. I can't remember anything ....
‘It’s Wednesday at 6.00pm and I’m still working on the ward.
ready for the ward round. But he still asks me questions I don’t know the answers to… He teases me in front of the team, even in front of patients. He’s the Head of Unit, not much I can do. At least the intern tries to smile at me, makes me feel a little better.’