The first year rural health placement has been designed to introduce students to different rural contexts. Through their participation in various activities students develop a greater awareness of rural health, rural practice and rural communities. These experiences will help students begin to develop a picture of the people who live and work in rural communities.
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During the rural placement week, Year 1 MBBS students are placed in rural towns throughout Victoria (please refer to map). The first year programme outlined below is delivered at each site. ObjectivesAt the completion of their rural placement students should be able to:
Placement SitesThe map below shows the location of the rural placements in year 1.  |
Activities
1. Visits to Health Care and Welfare Organisations: Hospital and Community Health Service
After completing observational visits to the rural health care organisations, students will demonstrate an awareness of the varied aspects of the organisation and the role they play in providing services to the community. Students will investigate and seek to understand:
- How the organisation operates
- What services are provided?
- The roles and networks of staff
- The nature of rural practice and the contributions of these organisations
2. Understanding GP Practice
After completing this session in which group discussions take place with a GP and a Practice Manager, students will develop an understanding of rural practice from both a professional and a personal perspective. Students will investigate and seek to understand:
- How the Practice Operates
- The roles and networks of staff.
- The nature of rural practice.
- The experience of being a rural GP.
- Ongoing professional development.
3. Emergency Services Forum
After participating in this forum with panel members, students will understand the structure and functioning of Emergency Services within the region including roles of the Police, SES, CFA and/or RAV. Students will investigate and seek to understand:
- Roles and networks of Emergency Service Personnel.
- Service provision in a rural setting.
- The role of the doctor.
4. Disability Services Presentation
This presentation will give students an overview of the major changes which have occurred in the way services are provided for people with a disability and importance of creating a more inclusive community. Students will investigate and seek to understand:
- Resources for people with a disability in rural areas.
- The doctor’s role in accessing services and resources to assist in management of people with disabilities.
- The implications of having a disability in a rural context.
5. Visit to a Rural Industry
After completing a visit to a rural industry and participating in a group discussion, students will be able to identify the importance and effect(s) of industry on the rural community. Students will investigate and seek to understand:
- Outline of the industry’s operation.
- The role of people who work there.
- Occupational, health and safety issues.
- The effects of the industry on the community.
- National and global connections.
6. Patient Home Visit
After attending a patient home visit(s) and sharing their experiences and insights with their peers, students will demonstrate an understanding of what it means to be a health care worker in a rural community as well as a service provider in home settings. Students will investigate and seek to understand:
- The role of the health care worker.
- Support networks available to the worker and the patient.
- Nature of the patient-practitioner relationship.
- Issues associated with visiting patients at home.
For queries relating to Year 1 Rural Placement Curriculum and Assessment please contact:
Dr Gayle Savige
Lecturer
email: gayle.savige@monash.edu
Telephone: +61 3 5128-1000
Facsimile: +61 3 5128-1080
Postal Address
Monash University Department of Rural and Indigenous Health.
PO Box 973
MOE VIC, 3825
