NZ students experience Aus rural medicine
Four medical students – two from East Gippsland and two from New Zealand – exchanged places recently, experiencing each other’s courses and cultures.
New Zealand exchange student, Gracie Soutar, was based in Bairnsdale.
New Zealand exchange student, Natalie Ron, who was based in Sale.
Year 4 students from the Monash School of Rural Health East & South Gippsland have spent two weeks in New Zealand. Mayuri Raviskanthan from the SRH Bairnsdale and Jo Borgelt from the Sale site were part of an exchange program initiated by Otago University. At the same time, New Zealand year 5 students, Gracie Souter and Natalie Ron, were in Bairnsdale and Sale respectively.
The exchange program was set up some years ago between the two schools, emanating from the friendship between SRH East Gippsland director Dr David Campbell and his close friend and colleague, the late Dr Pat Farry. Both men are highly respected for their contribution to rural medicine and GP education. Both have also been honoured by the Queen in their respective countries’ honours list.
Otago University offers its medical students the opportunity for rural practice experience through its Rural Medical Immersion Program while Monash University allows students to study medicine in a rural setting through its School of Rural Health.
According to Gracie, New Zealand’s fifth year is the equivalent of Monash’s Year 4.
A “city girl” from Auckland, Gracie jumped at the chance to study medicine in a rural setting. “That’s why I applied for the exchange program,” she added. “I chose to do it (the course). It is exciting, interesting and a great opportunity to do more medicine while seeing the country.”
Medicine runs in her family; she has a sister studying medicine at Flinders University in Adelaide.
Gracie was keen to compare the health of rural people in New Zealand and Australia which she said was “slightly different”.
“It was a fantastic opportunity to see what happens here (Bairnsdale),” she said. “It was also great to work so closely with the local General Practitioners in both a hospital and clinical setting.”
Gracie said Maori health was a significant part of the training in New Zealand. “We not only learn the language but we tailor consultations in a culturally appropriate way. The health problems for Australia’s Indigenous people are very different.”
According to Gracie, it is “too early” to think about her field of specialising yet. “I’m still enjoying everything but I really enjoy GP work and the continuity of care. I also enjoy surgery. It’s important to get a mix of these things.”
Natalie, from the rural area of Masterton in New Zealand, has spent her exchange in Sale.
She embraced the chance to see many more patients on her exchange. “It’s much more hands-on for students here and that is the major appeal of the course,” she said. “I also found people here much more stoic.”
However she said health issues were similar between Sale and Masterton. “The teachers and doctors here are especially helpful – it seems like everyone loves teaching,” she added.
Natalie appreciated her time spent in surgery at Sale hospital however she too is undecided about the area of medicine in which to specialise although it will be surgery of some kind.
Meanwhile another highlight of the connection between the two medical schools is an annual knowledge competition between East Gippsland medical students and their New Zealand counterparts. They compete for the Pat Farry Memorial Trophy (see additional story).