$2 million grant expands simulated learning
Opportunities for students and health services to use simulated learning environments for clinical training are expanding, with a $2 million state government grant in January to the Loddon Mallee Clinical Placement Network (CPN) of which Bendigo Regional Clinical School is a member.
Expanding training opportunities to health professionals
Over two years, the grant will cover the expansion of simulated learning environments at the Bendigo and Mildura Regional Clinical Schools as well as some additional staff, including a facilities co-ordinator.
Professor Geoff Solarsh, Monash’s representative on the Loddon Mallee CPN, is enthusiastic about the broader implications of the grant.
“With ever-increasing pressure on clinical placement capacity, simulated learning is becoming an important part of developing clinical skills for students and practising health professionals alike,” he said.
“It is also fostering closer ties between training institutions and the communities in which they are based, which is allowing the University to expand its reach and influence.”
Embedding training in local communities
Not only is simulated learning an important training tool, it is becoming a means of embedding health training providers in their communities and developing interprofessional learning opportunities.
La Trobe University’s new Rural Health School building – under construction on the same education precinct occupied by Bendigo Regional Clinical School – will open its simulated learning facilities to Monash students. In return Monash’s facilities will be open to La Trobe University’s nursing and health sciences students.
The facilities will also enable the university to conduct outreach programs for rural health services. Staff will be running training workshops at 19 health services across the region.