• Three Rivers partners with Australian Men’s Shed Association at Henty Machinery Field Days
• The organisations will offer free health screenings for male attendees
• Screenings will be performed by Charles Sturt students as a placement opportunity

Charles Sturt University (Charles Sturt) health students will gain industry experience while providing updates to rural and regional men on their health at the Henty Machinery Field Days (HMFD).

Three Rivers University Department of Rural Health (Three Rivers UDRH) and the Australian Men’s Shed Association have partnered to offer free health screenings to men attending this year’s event.

Charles Sturt students studying paramedicine, physiotherapy and occupational health will work in an interdisciplinary environment to provide screenings as a placement opportunity.

The assessment students will use is the ‘Spanner in the Works’ model to screen for diabetes, mental health and cardiovascular disease, as well as provide information about how regularly men should get their skin and eyes checked and be screened for skin and bowel cancer.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has previously identified rural men as being subject to health disadvantages as a result of their sex and socioeconomic status.

Men’s health issues may be compounded by specific barriers to accessing services such as long working hours, requirements of seasonal work, discomfort in the waiting room environment, privacy concerns and a fear of knowing their true health status.

“In recognition of these complexities, it is becoming increasingly important to provide health screenings for rural men in accessible, community-based environments,” Three Rivers UDRH lecturer in rural health Dr Elyce Green said.

“It is also important that health students are exposed to skills relevant to conducting this type of health activity.

“This is an opportunity to promote an innovative, rural health clinical placement that provides a service to the community.”

The HMFD is on from Tuesday 17 to Thursday 19 September.

Three Rivers UDRH director Mrs Christine Howard and lecturers Dr Green and Mr Brent Smith, Australian Men’s Shed Association project manager Mr Stuart Torrance, and Charles Sturt health students will be in attendance.

Three Rivers UDRH is a department of Charles Sturt and is part of a consortium partnership with the University of New South Wales, Western Sydney University and Notre Dame University.

Charles Sturt and its consortium partners acknowledge the financial support provided by the Australian Government.