28 August 2006
Second-year medical students from Monash University are seizing the opportunity to explore the challenges of rural medicine during a two-week placement with the Mildura Regional Clinical School.
Twelve students have arrived in Mildura today to gain hands-on experience of the local health system and deeper insight into the communities and lives that depend on it.
Over the next two weeks, they will spend time in doctors' surgeries and hospital wards, building on the experiences gained during their first year rural placements. They will also visit a sheep station in outback New South Wales to examine occupational health and safety issues, and get the chance to watch members of the local ambulance service in action.
To get a taste of country life, the students will attend various social and sporting events including a local football match this weekend.
Dr John Russell, Director of the Mildura Regional Clinical School, said it was important to expose students to the rewards of rural medicine during their early training years. "Early education can play a vital role in influencing the career choices of medicine students," he said.
"Experiences like these can enhance future recruitment levels of health professionals into country practice." Dr Russell also praised the quality of teaching during the rural placements and the positive learning environment that is provided. "The students get a demonstration of the real benefits of rural medicine and the exciting career pathways it can open up," he said.
Monash University and the University of Melbourne have launched the Extended Rural Cohort stream, a joint initiative in central and northern Victoria that focuses on rural and regional practice. It follows the Federal Government's recent allocation of an extra 60 medical training places, to be shared equally between Monash and Melbourne, as part of the Northern Victoria Regional Medical Education Network.
The two universities are holding a joint information session about the Extended Rural Cohort stream at the Monash University Mildura Regional Clinical School, 231-237 Thirteenth Street, Mildura West, from 7pm to 8pm on Wednesday 30 August.
For further information contact Ms Robyn Anns, Media Communications, on +61 3 9905 9317 or 0417 568 781.
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