Monash Rural Health (MRH) Gippsland took its second-year medical students out of the classroom and into real life situations recently where they could experience what life as a rural doctor could be like after their studies have finished.
“These experiences are crucial in informing students of the unique health challenges that communities face across the Gippsland region and rural Victoria, and what they are training for,” according to Professor Shane Bullock, Head of School, said.
The students engaged in cultural learning, visiting Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place in Bairnsdale to deepen their appreciation for the traditions and heritage of the Gunaikurnai people, the original custodians of East Gippsland.
The practical side of their education was delivered through clinical simulation sessions with final year students, where they developed hands-on skills such as taking vital signs, performing venipunctures, and administering subcutaneous injections.
They also had the opportunity to observe Ambulance Victoria’s Helicopter Emergency Services (HEMS) up close, offering them insight into the fast-paced and challenging nature of emergency response in rural areas.
According to Professor Bullock, this week-long experience did more than just educate — it ignited a newfound appreciation for rural medicine and opened doors to possibilities students may have not previously considered.
“Whether they return as future rural doctors or simply carry the lessons learned into their broader medical careers, the experience will remain a defining moment in their journey,” he said.
