24 August 2006
Senior medical students from Monash University and the University of Melbourne will receive a frontline view of life as a country doctor when they attend the second annual Victorian Rural Careers Weekend in Bendigo.
General practitioners and medical specialists from the local area will take centre stage at the student-organised forum, which opens in Bendigo on Saturday 26 August. They will share their personal experiences with up to 60 medical students, and promote the rewards and challenges of a career in rural practice.
The visitors will take advantage of the wealth of valuable local knowledge about the training options for rural medicine and the many different career pathways it can open up.
Fifth year Monash University student Mr Ryan Spencer who is also one of the event co-ordinators, said the careers weekend was a valuable tool in providing city-based students with vital exposure to the benefits of country medicine.
"There is no other forum of this kind that can provide students with such a comprehensive level of information in such an accessible way," he said.
"To hear direct from the doctors about all the possibilities that a career in rural medicine can bring is pretty inspiring," he said.
"They have wonderful stories to tell about their experiences working in a rural community and what they have done with their lives. No website, book or information sheet could provide such valuable and expert guidance," Mr Spencer said.
Dr George Somers, a senior lecturer with the Monash University School of Rural Health and an expert in rural medicine, said students who undertake their internships at country hospitals retain a strong attachment to rural Australia.
"Evidence shows that people who choose to do their internship in a rural area have a 40 per cent likelihood of returning to that area," he said.
The Rural Careers Weekend, to be held at Monash University's Bendigo Regional Clinical School training complex in Mercy Street, will include a gala dinner and visits to some of the region's popular tourist destinations.
For further information contact Ms Robyn Anns, Media Communications, on +61 3 9905 9317 or 0417 568 781.
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