Year 5D student, Mayuri Raviskantahn, took advantage of an exchange program to experience rural medicine in New Zealand. This is her report.

Stepping onto the tarmac at Blenheim into the blistering cold weather and off a small rickety 15 seat aircraft, my very first minutes in town were a shock to the system. Despite the first impressions, however, and although I really only began to get used to the weather on the last day of my stay, the exchange program was undoubtedly one of the best experiences I could have hoped for. With a crew of fantastically welcoming 5th Year RMIP (Rural Medical Immersion Program) medical students, and equally, if not possibly more so, amazing doctors, nurses and other staff, I can’t think of a better team of people to have spent time with while I’ve been here.

On a medical level, I was given the opportunity to experience both general practice and the nature of the emergency department here. On a size basis, Blenheim is quite similar to Bairnsdale, and the population catered for is also quite similar demographically. As a result, it was interesting to directly compare the two healthcare systems and facilities side by side. (more…)

Bairnsdale Primary School’s library became a Teddy Bear Hospital recently.

The Teddy Bear Hospital is a world-wide program that provides primary school students with the opportunity to interact with student doctors. The program is an interactive way for children to experience the atmosphere at a hospital or general practice without being patients themselves.

Under the direction of Storm Holwill, a Year 4C student in School of Rural Health East Gippsland, with assistance from her fellow Year 4C students, 40 prep students and their teddies were involved in role playing.

A number of scenarios included calling an ambulance, the importance of good hygiene, healthy eating and bandaging teddies’ arms.

The event was a huge success and staff at the school indicated a return visit would be very welcome.

Associate Professor David Campbell

Associate Professor David Campbell, the Director of School of Rural Health East Gippsland, was recognised in the recent Queen’s Birthday honours.

Dr Campbell was awarded an AM for significant service to rural and remote medicine and education, as a supporter of Indigenous health professionals, and to general practice.

Cunninghame Arm Medical Centre principal for 20 years, Dr Campbell’s involvement in medicine includes:

* Associate Professor, Rural Community Based Medical Education, School of Rural Health, Monash University, since 2007.

* Director, School of Rural Health East Gippsland, since 2003.

* Committee Member, East Gippsland School for Aboriginal Health Professionals.

* Senior Lecturer, since 1999.

* Censor in Chief, Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), since 2011; president, 2005-2007; vice president, 2003-2005 and 2009-2011; foundation member, since 1998; Victorian director, 2001-2003; member, International Medical Graduate Specialist Pathway Application Committee.

* Representative and founding member, Joint Committee for Australian General Practice Training.

* Principal author and instructor, Rural Emergency Skills Training Course.

* Member, Australian Medical Training Review Panel, 2005-2011.

* Inaugural deputy chairman, Rural Workforce Agency Victoria, 1998; founding board member, 1998-2009; member, Conference Organising Committee, for 10 years.

* Founding board member, Southern GP Training (previously Gippsland Education and Training), 1993-2011.

* Faculty member and instructor, Advanced Paediatric Life Support Australia, since 1994.

* Management committee member, Rural Doctors Association of Victoria, since 1998.

* Past director, East Gippsland Division of General Practice.

* Practice principal and general practitioner, Cunninghame Arm Medical Centre, since 1994.

Dr Campbell moved to Lakes Entrance in 1983 after graduating from Adelaide University with a passion for rural care.

Starting at Lakes Entrance Community Health Centre (now Gippsland Lakes Community Health), he later opened his own practice, the Cunninghame Arm Medical Centre in 1994.

A car accident in a paddock in Omeo saw calls to local ambulance officers.

Fortunately, this was just a simulated scenario for Ambulance Community Support Officers in the rural and remote sector of East Gippsland as part of their training.

The Simulation Learning Environment Project Officer, Laurea Atkinson,  attended outreach visits to Mallacoota in May and Omeo in June with the Advanced Life Support Mannequin.

Paramedic Community Support Officers’ Terry Houge (Mallacoota) and Kerryn Wratt (Omeo) organise the simulation training sessions for the group.

A simulated car accident scenario in a paddock in Omeo was one training scenario. The session was organised by Kerryn Wratt and the ambulance community officers (ACOs) and policemen responded from Ensay, Swifts Creek and Omeo. The scenario involved seven simulated patients and required emergency care at the Omeo district hospital.

An extension of the orientation program involves training at the simulation education centre at Monash University School of Rural Health East Gippsland in Bairnsdale. The sessions are conducted over a three week period with combined training for ACOs from Mallacoota and Omeo.

The intensive “camp simulation” involves various clinical scenarios and management for the patient in the acute pre-hospital phase.

East Gippsland Sim Week poster

Advanced life support mannequin, Jimmy, stars as a simulated student in a poster produced to mark this year’s Simulation Week. School of RH East Gippsland responded to an invitation from Simulation Australia to promote local simulation and the resulting poster will be featured on the Simulation Australia website.

The poster features Jimmy at orientation day being introduced to staff and shown the facilities in Bairnsdale. The photos are showcased in black and white film strips reminding the viewer  that the history of simulation dates back to the 16^th century.

In 2012 the School of Rural Health East Gippsland, was successful in securing a simulation grant from Health Workforce Australia (HWA). The grant was in support of clinical education using simulation learning modalities for health professions in the East Gippsland region.

Time out: Dr Chu watches a footy match in the Northern Territory with some of the young locals.

Vichai Chu completed Year 4C in Sale in 2011 and is now working in the Northern Territory. Here he takes time out to reflect on his experiences studying with Monash and since graduating.

As I write this on my birthday, I reminisce about the time I was a medical student in Sale exactly three years ago. I remember that day very well because I observed and assisted with the birth of a baby boy. Unfortunately, I was unable to convince his mother to name him “Vichai” for my (and his) birthday. Surely this didn’t have anything to do with the fact that the family was Caucasian?

My time in Sale has prepared me well for what was to come. After graduation, I was matched to the hospital of my choice—Goulburn Valley Hospital—for my internship. There, I rotated in general practice and anaesthetics in addition to the core terms. I chose this hospital because of the hands-on experience. (I estimate that I intubated around 40 patients and scrubbed in for multiple PICC insertions and lumbar punctures.)

I am currently participating in the Northern Territory Prevocational General Practice Placements Program, where I fly three days per week to remote islands such as Melville Island and Goulburn Island to see Aboriginal patients. There, I face a different set of challenges such as late presentations, a lack of understanding about diseases, and non-compliance with treatments. Still, it is a very worthwhile undertaking as Aboriginal people are very welcoming and have a rich culture. It is inspiring to know that we as public health advocates are slowly making a difference in ‘Closing the Gap’. When I return to Victoria, I will continue my role as a resident in the anaesthetic, intensive care, and emergency departments.

I think practising outside metropolitan areas is an invaluable experience and I encourage all to embrace this unique and rewarding opportunity. Sale’s integrated program has positively shaped my bedside manner, consultation skills, and procedural skills. This could not have happened without the mentorship of the clinicians and administrative staff at East Gippsland Regional Clinical School.

Vichai Chu
Graduate Year 4C Sale 2011

Ros Pearce talks to Laurea Atkinson

Laurea is the Simulation Learning Environment Project Officer at the School of Rural Health – East Gippsland in Bairnsdale. Ros Pearce talks to her about her work.

Charlotte at work in her 'office'

The youngest member of staff at Bairnsdale has just celebrated her first birthday. Charlotte has her own office/change room that she sometimes shares with mum, Eleanor Mitchell. Somewhat overwhelmed by all the fuss, she shared a large cake with Eleanor, Angelo (now back from parental leave) and the rest of the staff.

Sale Year 3B student group

Sale welcomed Year 3B and 4C students with a lunch for 40 guests. Students introduced themselves to the gathering which included nurse educators, doctors and other staff from the Central Gippsland Health Service, medical practice staff, tutors and clinicians who all play an important role in delivery of two very successful programs at the Sale site.

Like the Bairnsdale students, a number of Sale students “admitted” to singing. One had even studied music at her VCE level; her instrument – the voice. East and South Gippsland staff are hoping for a mid-year performance.

Year 4C student group with Professor John Murtagh

A sumptuous dinner at the home of Dr David Iser and his wife, Narelle, with guests including Professor John Murtagh and his wife, Dr Jill Murtagh, capped the Year 4C orientation program at Leongatha. The two-week program consisted of clinical and hospital orientations along with information sessions and tutorials in the various intensives. Students had some of their tutorials in “The Bothy” where they stayed at Sandy Point.

Professor Murtagh wrote the general practice textbook that is used around the world. In a witty and entertaining speech, he related how the book came to be and how he and his wife learned from their experiences in medicine. Professor Murtagh has been nominated number one hero from a group of medical luminaries by a large percentage of the general practitioners surveyed for the Medical Observer. Students felt privileged to be able to spend time in a small group with Professor Murtagh.