3 August 2006
More than 150 Monash University medical students are receiving their first taste of rural medicine during a one-week placement with the Bendigo Regional Clinical School.
The first year students have converged on the school's regional training sites at Bendigo, Castlemaine, Kyneton, Echuca, Cohuna, Swan Hill, Corowa, Colac and Beechwood this week, where they are gaining vital insight into the local health system and the communities that rely on it.
Their five-day program includes visits to local hospitals, health care organisations, rural industry workplaces and home-based patients.
Also featured in the timetable is a series of forums, group discussions and presentations involving local health providers, emergency and disability service organisations.
Professor Peter Disler, Director of the Bendigo Regional Clinical School, said the local placement program gave students an essential snapshot of rural medicine that could play a crucial role in their ultimate decision to pursue a career as a country doctor.
"One of the major contributing factors for students deciding to undertake their clinical years in a rural setting is the positive experience they have had during their rural placements," he said.
"A real highlight of the Bendigo Regional Clinical School placement program is the level of personal contact the students are exposed to.
"They get the chance to really engage with local health professionals, service providers and, most importantly, the wider community. It opens their eyes to just how rich and rewarding rural community life can be."
Monash University is currently working with the University of Melbourne to introduce into central and northern Victoria a joint medical training program that focuses on rural and regional practice.
Last month the Federal Government announced an additional 30 medical training places for Monash University in Bendigo and 30 places for the University of Melbourne in Shepparton under the Monash/Melbourne Northern Victoria Regional Medical Education Network.
For information contact Mr Graham Allardice on 5440 9004 or Ms Diane Squires, Media Communications, on 9905 9315 or 0417 603 400.
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