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Rural Health in the MBBS - Year 2

Two week Rural Health Placement

Building on the experiences gained in year one, the second year rural health placement will have a greater focus on clinical practice and involvement in community activities. The student cohort from year one will be divided into two groups. Half will complete their placement in semester one (April/May) and the remaining half will complete their placement in semester two (August/September). The second year programme outlined below is delivered at each site.

Objectives

After participating in the second year rural health placement, it is expected that students will be able to:

  1. Build on the knowledge acquired while undertaking first year rural health placement. Particularly focussing on:
    - how rural contexts impact on the clinical and non-clinical management of patients;
    - how rural diversity can impact on health, illness and clinical practice.
  2. Explore the nature of rural clinical practice from a health worker’s perspective.
  3. Recognise how the links and networks between rural health providers can influence the delivery of rural health service.
  4. Gain knowledge of health service issues specifically pertinent to rural communities.
  5. Develop a cultural awareness of the local Indigenous people, their language and spiritual connection to the land and how this impacts on their health and well-being.

Placement Sites

The map below shows the location of the rural placements in year 2.

Year 2 map

Activities

1. Visit to a General Practitioner’s Clinic

Students will explore the role of the GP in a rural practice through participatory and observational activities in the consultation room and clinical practice.

After spending time with a GP, each student will present a brief case study to their peers. The presentation will encourage the students to develop and use a framework for clinical reasoning:  This will include:

  • A focussed history.
  • Findings of an examination.
  • Suggestions for appropriate diagnostic testing.
  • Possible diagnosis.
  • Identifying the impact of location on presentation. 

2. Hospital visit

After working closely with a Registered Nurse for an entire shift, students will have an understanding of the roles and networks of different health care professionals, while observing clinical procedures and the non-clinical processes involved in the care of patients. This may include:

  • Administrative procedures from admission to discharge including discharge planning, referral, and follow up appointments.
  • Observation of Clinical procedures e.g. catheterization, intravenous therapies or wound management.
  • Participation in routine vital sign monitoring.
  • Interaction with the patient to aid the understanding of care from a non-clinical perspective.

3. Pharmacy visit

Students will observe and interact with pharmacy personnel to develop an awareness of the issues related to pharmacy practice in a rural/regional area. This will include an understanding of:

  • The role of the pharmacy in a rural community.
  • The role of staff and their interaction with customers.
  • Administrative processes e.g. processing of scripts.
  • Resources available to doctors e.g. MIMS.

4. Rural Ambulance Victoria

Students will identify the role and work of Rural Ambulance Victoria in the delivery of health care to people in a rural area. This will include:

  • Attendance at a presentation on the role of Rural Ambulance Victoria.
  • Undertaking of training to Certificate 2 First Aid qualification level.

5. Complementary therapy

Students will develop an awareness of the role of complementary therapy in a rural community, and how it helps people manage their health and well-being. This will include:

  • A hands on experience of complementary therapy if possible.
  • The role of complementary therapy in a rural community.
  • Issues related to providing complementary therapy in a rural community.

6. Occupational Health & Safety including Zoonotic Diseases

Students will gain an understanding of the reasons why Occupational Health and Safety measures need to be implemented on farms and in industry.  Students will gain an understanding of zoonotic diseases and the reasons why OH&S measures needs to be implemented on farms and in industry.  This will include:

  • Preparatory reading and investigation on the pathology and epidemiology of zoonotic diseases in Australia.
  • An information session presented by a Veterinarian on the transmission and management of Zoonotic diseases. 
  • A visit to a local farm to gain a greater understanding of the clinical and non clinical impact of zoonotic diseases on individuals and rural communities.

7. Indigenous Health

Students will gain knowledge and develop sensitivity to cultural issues which may impact on the relationship between the doctor and Indigenous communities. Scope of activity could include:

  • Insight into health issues and priorities for Indigenous Health People.
  • Exploration of local health initiatives for indigenous people.
  • Cultural understanding of the local indigenous people and language (the name of the community/traditional owners/tribal boundaries.)
  • Experiencing local sites of cultural significance.

8. Sporting and Cultural Observation/Participation

Students participate or attend a local community event, such as a sporting, social or cultural activity, to gain an insight into an aspect of rural lifestyle.

For queries relating to Year 2 Rural Placement Curriculum and Assessment please contact:

Dr Gayle Savige
Lecturer
email:  gayle.savige@med.monash.edu.au
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