The MD Rural Stream program is a highly successful initiative by Flinders University to introduce medical students to the rigours, benefits, challenges and rewards of rural and regional medicine.
World recognised and highly regarded, the program has produced medical professionals of the highest standard, many of who have returned to regional locations to make their homes within the community.
The broad, integrated, flexible nature of this course will ideally suit students who thrive in a learning environment that encourages and supports self-regulated learning, learning in small groups, agility autonomy, responsibility and cooperative involvement in the ongoing care and life of individuals, their families and rural communities.
Building on rural learning opportunities in years 1 and 2 of the MD program, year 3 in the MD Rural Stream offers students the opportunity to undertake their entire third year in a rural community setting as part of the MDRS program.
You will be principally attached to a general practice, but will make extensive use of other rural health care facilities, including hospitals, community outreach agencies, Aboriginal medical services, prisons and health centres.
You will have the opportunity to actively participate in the care of patients over the whole year. This will give you first-hand longitudinal experience of medical illness, its natural history, diagnosis, management and how it affects the family, workplace and community in which an individual lives.
The MDRS includes clinical opportunities which aim to provide students with the practical experience required for the workplace. The program focuses on student-centred learning with longitudinal development of the knowledge, skills and personal and professional attributes required of a doctor. Topics cover areas such as interaction between doctor and patient, knowledge of health and illness, health professions and society, socially responsible health practice, clinical research foundations, and advanced studies.
Rurally embedded work integrated learning clinical placements are offered as a continuum over year 3 and 4 with the addition of tertiary experiences to ensure preparedness for internship. Students undertake supervised experience within Medicine, Surgery, Anaesthesia, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, General Practice and Psychiatry over Years 3 and 4.
You will participate in a range of activities in rural clinical settings, attend lectures and tutorials and undertake self-directed learning. Students will focus on acquiring important knowledge and principles in all clinical disciplines, developing their ability to diagnose and manage common clinical problems.
You will gain competence in communication and patient interaction skills, clinical skills and minor procedures within disciplines. Clinical skills learned in previous years are extended and applied within rural clinical settings and new skills and procedures are developed. Teaching and learning takes place within structured clinical skills workshops, bedside and ambulatory teaching and individually supervised sessions. Students will demonstrate self-regulated learning development across the program.
It is hoped that through experiencing life as a rural clinician, you will appreciate the many opportunities rural lifestyle has to offer, while developing an understanding of the health needs of rural communities.
The MDRS study timetable is developed to reflect health service delivery in the rural context while ensuring that you have experiences that reflect the learning outcomes of the MD program. This is achieved through small group teaching, clinical experiences, simulation, workshops, lectures and tutorials from a variety of experienced clinicians and teaching staff
MDRS student learning is supported though libraries in rural campuses and the practices where students are placed. There is also access to study space, computers, online learning resources and up to date IT infrastructure. Technology, including virtual learning platforms are used widely to provide access to relevant information in line with the MD curriculum.
Rural GP supervisor and specialist tutors are experienced and enthusiastic teachers.
Learning support is provided by rurally based academic, clinical and professional staff and MD topic coordinators.
Assessment and learning outcomes are provided in the statement of assessment methods relevant to each topic of the MD program. Rural clinical educators, academics and GP supervisors are all skilled in assessment and feedback and support students with programmatic assessment for learning. Most assessments that require invigilation are managed in rural campuses/locations so that students experience the least amount of disruption.
Flinders University Rural and Remote Health SA has a large presence in our State's regional areas, including Barossa Valley, Hills Mallee Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island, Mid North and Yorke Peninsula, Riverland, South East and Far North and Eyre Peninsula.
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
South Australia | Northern Territory
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