SIX eager third year medical students are immersing themselves in Mount Gambier’s medical sector once again this year as part of the Flinders University rural program.
Nine students from New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria and Adelaide are spread across the South East and will take part in the university’s Parallel Rural Community Curriculum program.
In addition to the six students placed in the city, two are placed in Naracoorte and one in Hamilton.
Flinders University Rural Health SA Associate Dean professor Jennene Greenhill said there was a strong continuity between the city’s patients and the medical students.
Ms Greenhill said it was also an economic gain for the region as it offered a cycle of benefits.
“Up to 60pc of students undertaking their placement in rural areas are likely to return to these areas to begin their working career,” she said.
Michelle McIntosh was part of the cohort of third year medical students undertaking the program in 2007 and is now working as a general practitioner at Hawkins Medical Clinic.
“The placement provided a fantastic opportunity to learn about medicine over a total life span as you go from witnessing the birth of a child to attending to those in a nursing home,” Ms McIntosh said.
“It is great exposure.”
Ms McIntosh, who is also now a clinical educator through Flinders University for third year students, said those undertaking a placement in the city received more one on one time than they would placed in Adelaide.
Third year medical student and former Mount Gambier resident Ilze Alexander said the placement had provided fantastic community continuity and care.
Laura Grave from Warrnambool is also enjoying her placement and said it allowed students to gain exposure in a variety of fields in medicine.
