The Charles Sturt University School of Rural Medicine will host its annual, free, online information session about studying the Doctor of Medicine on Wednesday 29 March from 6pm until 7.30pm.

The session will offer key information on the five-year undergraduate degree offered at the Charles Sturt School of Rural Medicine in Orange through the Charles Sturt and Western Sydney University Joint Program in Medicine.

The information night is aimed at prospective students, their parents and carers, and careers advisors offering a pathway to study medicine in rural NSW.

Representatives from the School of Rural Medicine will provide an overview of the course curriculum, course entry requirements and how to apply to the Doctor of Medicine.

Dean of Rural Medicine in the School of Rural Medicine Professor Lesley Forster said the information night is an accessible and convenient way to find out all the essential information on how to become a doctor in rural Australia.  

“The information night is open to everyone and is a great way to find out everything you need to know if you are considering a career as a doctor, particularly in country communities,” Professor Forster said.

“It provides a great overview of subjects within the Charles Sturt University Doctor of Medicine, clinical placements, along with application processes, accommodation options and scholarships available.”

Professor Forster said students of the Doctor of Medicine had the privilege of studying one of the most modern courses offered to medical students today.

“Students get to learn and practice their skills utilising the latest medical equipment and facilities via a course that is highly practical and workplace-based from the moment they commence their studies,” Professor Forster said.

Professor Forster said students experience learning and living in regional and remote communities throughout their degrees.

“Students study rural ‘generalism’ which will equip them with the knowledge, experience and expertise to become qualified medical practitioners within rural and remote communities,” Professor Forster said.

“What better way to do that than to learn these skills in those very communities.”

This is the third year the Doctor of Medicine has been offered at Charles Sturt with a total of 115 students currently studying the course. Some of these include 42 students from Central West NSW communities; seven students from the Coffs Harbour and Mid-North Coast regions; seven students from Riverina communities; three students from the Orana and Far West; along with students from regional and remote communities interstate, including two students from the Northern Territory; three students from Victorian communities; and three students from Queensland regional and remote areas.

Attendees at the information night will meet staff from the School of Rural Medicine while hearing from rural and regional doctors and current students of the Doctor of Medicine program about their experiences and journey to date.

Second-year student of the Doctor of Medicine Ms Eve West from Orange said it had been an action-packed year since starting this degree at Charles Sturt.

“There’s been so much professional and personal growth,” Ms West said.

“I’ve learnt how to take a thorough history and assessment of a patient, read chest X-rays, insert cannulas and suture. Plus, our anatomy labs are run by the best teacher ever.”

Information on the night will also cover entry requirements such as the University Clinical Aptitude Test for Australia and New Zealand (UCAT ANZ), what it’s like to live on campus at Charles Sturt in Orange and support services.

This is a free event and participants can register their attendance here.

ENDS