BLOOD pressure testing, human anatomy observations and first-aid techniques were among practices learnt by South East high school students at a hands-on Flinders University Rural Health Society exhibition.
Over 20 school students took part in the two-hour sessions held at the Flinders Rural Health Mount Gambier site.
Society rural health site visit coordinator Hugo Keller said the exhibition aimed to encourage young people living in regional areas to study a health-related degree.
“Allowing students to understand they are able to return back to their hometown once they have finished their study is important,” Mr Keller said.
“There is a shortage of medical and health-related professionals in country areas.
“Insights into career pathways make people understand it is actually possible.”
Mr Keller said health-related study was often not considered “until the very end” of secondary schooling.
“I am a rural student from Tintinara and it was not until I saw a doctor with my younger sister I considered it an interest to me,” he said.
“I think it is not until you are personally exposed to it that it becomes a reality.
“We want to show country students they do have the opportunity to study and return home.”
With five university students hosting the activities, Mr Keller said it was also a learning process for them.
“We allow students who do not get to go to Adelaide and attend open days to experience them here in their hometown,” he said.
“It gives them first-hand intel from a student who is studying the degree they may be interested in.
“It would be great to see as many students become involved as possible in events like this.”
Mr Keller said the session was split into two parts.
“One section involves a clinical skills circuit involving optometry, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nursing and medicine activities,” he said.
“At these stations students undergo icebreaker activities related to the career.
“This allows them to warm up and ask the questions about the career pathway.”
The other part of the session involved a question and answer workshop for students to ask questions to gain a “broader understanding” of university in general.
A further two-hour session was held at Millicent High School yesterday, bringing the total number of South East students involved to over 35.
