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Medical students go rural to get a professional edge

Medicine

The variety and opportunities presented by rural medical training may give medical students an important professional edge, a recent report has found.

The report, commissioned by Rural Health Workforce Australia (RHWA), involved in-depth interviews with 25 medical students and 41 junior doctors from Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne.

Greg Mundy, CEO of RHWA says:

“The next generation is looking for quality experiences that will develop their skills and boost their career prospects.

As a sector, we need to highlight the opportunities for hands-on learning, working in smaller teams and broader scope of practice. Going rural gives you all of that and more.”

The report found that a number of factors contribute to the decision to relocate rurally. These include:

  • Individual characteristics
  • Personal and family considerations
  • The quality and duration of rural experiences
  • The need for strong professional and social support
  • Good internet access for study, research, clinical support and for social reasons
  • Flexibility to train part-time

Rural Health Workforce Australia is making primary health care more accessible for regional, rural and remote communities.

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Image: Dan – freedigitalphotos.net

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