South joins East Gippsland model
Year 4C students from Bairnsdale, Sale and South Gippsland, who are now under the EGRCS banner and part of the Gippsland Regional Integrated Community Curriculum (GRICC) program, are pictured at the Bairnsdale campus during orientation.
The Gippsland Rural Integrated Community Curriculum (GRICC) this year sees the South Gippsland area incorporated into the East Gippsland Regional Clinical School integrated education model (year-long integrated placement) .
There are 23 Year 4C students spread across an area stretching from Omeo, Orbost, Lakes Entrance and Bairnsdale in the East, through Sale, Maffra and Heyfield in Central Gippsland and to Yarram, Leongatha, Foster, Wonthaggi and Korumburra in the South.
The first week in Gippsland for the students was spent in orientation and they came together at the Bairnsdale campus for two days, attending talks by local clinicians covering the broad scope of their studies for this year. A dinner was held at which Dr David Campbell, Director of the East Gippsland Regional Clinical School, outlined the year ahead and encouraged the students to involve themselves in the local community during their stay.
Guest speaker was Dr Sally Singleton. Sally has spent a number of her training years in the East Gippsland area, specifically her fourth year in 2009 at the Bairnsdale campus. Sally spoke of the positive influences and experiences while in the area and her subsequent career path. She answered a number of questions put to her by the students about the program.
The final day of orientation was spent on clinical skills including Emergency scenarios, Children’s Health and General Practice. During the sessions students put their newly acquired knowledge into action, practicing consultation skills and clinical procedures.
The students are now being introduced to their specific medical practices and all are very enthusiastic about being part of the unique integrated program offered at East Gippsland Regional Clinical School.