• Charles Sturt University’s School of Rural Medicine third-year students embark on clinical placements in the Bathurst region
• The Rural Generalist Placement Program marks a major milestone in the Doctor of Medicine being delivered jointly by Charles Sturt and Western Sydney University
• Students will receive first-hand patient experience working in health services in the region

The first student doctors from Charles Sturt University will commence their placements in rural locations from Monday 6 February. By training future doctors locally, it is hoped many of them will stay as practicing doctors in rural communities experiencing healthcare shortages. 

The Doctor of Medicine, being delivered jointly between Charles Sturt University and Western Sydney University under the Joint Program in Medicine (JPM) will see third-year students commence the Rural Generalist Placement Program (RGPP) in areas such as the Central Tablelands Clinical Region, bringing their skills and knowledge to local residents first-hand.

Students will be based in towns such as Bathurst, full-time, from their third year and will remain there during their fourth and fifth-year studies until the completion of their degree.

During this time, students will rotate between different hospitals, general practices and community health services, gaining valuable clinical skills while developing relationships and connections with the local community. 

Head of Campus at the Central Tablelands Clinical Region Associate Professor Khalid Al-Zubaidi said it was a fantastic milestone for the school, students, and rural healthcare. 

“The School of Rural Medicine is still in its early days having the first cohort of students commence their studies just two years ago,” Associate Professor Al-Zubaidi said.

“These students have already shown strength, resilience and a high level of clinical knowledge in getting to their third year, particularly having overcome the many hurdles associated with pursuing university education during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Associate Professor Al-Zubaidi said the approach of the placements was tailored to the needs and nuances of rural and regional communities.

“The Rural Generalist Placement Program is an opportunity for students to experience the broad range of health services provided by rural generalists,” Associate Professor Al-Zubaidi said.

“The community and patient-centred approach to rural generalist medicine provides local people with access to a broad range of health services to meet the health needs of individual communities.”

Associate Professor Al-Zubaidi said the clinical services provided by rural generalists varied depending on the health needs of the communities they serve and the available health infrastructure, and students would also learn skills that aid common health issues.

“Every placement will reflect the health priorities in each area while also assisting students to gain clinical medical skills to assist a range of conditions that often arise across communities,” he said.  

The third-year curriculum covers clinical medicine, including general practice, medicine, surgery, emergency medicine and community health.

Associate Professor Al-Zubaidi said a Rural Generalist Placement will provide students with immersive learning at its best.

“Students will have the opportunity to develop an understanding of rural generalist medicine and of the roles of rural generalists, including general practitioners and specialists working collegially with them to benefit rural health outcomes in a community,” he said.

“Students will gain first-hand insights into the patient’s journey through the health system and the role each health provider contributes to patient care.”

Third-year student of the Doctor of Medicine Mr Ethan Cusick said he was looking forward to the experience and clinical insights he anticipated the placement would offer.

“I am very excited about my upcoming placement in third-year,” Mr Cusick said.

“I’m looking forward to being in a local hospital surrounded by medical experts and practitioners.”

Mr Cusick welcomed the opportunity to be conducting his placement in the Bathurst region.   

“I am excited to be heading back to the Bathurst community, with whom I have a personal connection, and giving back to the community,” he said.

The Charles Sturt Doctor of Medicine is a five-year undergraduate degree.

The School of Rural Medicine has devised the Rural Generalist Program, which includes a network of clinical schools that aims to allow students to study in a region where they intend to work.

Students commence full-time training within their designated clinical school for three years, starting in third-year, and will rotate between different hospitals, general practices, and community health services, developing relationships with the local community. 

Clinical schools established through the Rural Generalist Placement Program include:

• Central Tablelands Clinical School, covering Bathurst
• Central West Clinical School, covering Forbes, Parkes, Grenfell, Cowra
• Orange Clinical School
• Hastings Macleay Clinical School, covering South-West Rocks, Kempsey and Wauchope
• Mallee Clinical School, covering Swan Hill and Deniliquin
• Murray Clinical School, covering Albury, Beechworth, Corryong, Corowa
• Murrumbidgee Clinical School, covering Hay, Lake Cargelligo, Hillston and Griffith
• Northern Rivers Clinical School, covering Nambucca Heads, Bowraville, Bellingen
• Riverina Clinical School, covering Finley, Temora and Wagga Wagga

ENDS