Introduction

The Rural Clinical School works in collaboration with a number of organizations on research and other joint projects. Funding for these projects is often multi-streamed and joint positions are sometimes created to foster closer synergies between organizations with common goals.

In particular, the Faculty of Health Science has created an academic rural health portfolio to provide a focus for its rural health education, health professional support and research activities. This is encouraging better integration and resource sharing between the three externally funded rural health Programs - Rural Clinical School (RCS), University Department of Rural Health (UDRH) and Rural Undergrduate Support and Coordination (RUSC) and with Schools-based teaching, learning and research core business.

Cradle-Coast Study Of Rural Older Tasmanians Shows Our Strengths And Our Service Gaps

An Overview

A study conducted by a research team from the University of Tasmania has demonstrated high levels of community involvement and social activity by older people living in the Cradle-Coast area of Tasmania.

The study, led by Prof Judi Walker, the University’s Professor of Rural Health, and involving researchers from rural health, economics, nursing, pathology and environmental studies, was undertaken earlier this year with about 200 people aged over 65 years living in the Cradle-Coast region.

The study’s aim was to improve the evidence for planning health services in rural and regional Tasmania as our populations age. Currently health service policy and planning does not take account of the complex social and demographic changes taking place in rural Australia, and the differing needs and expectations of older people living in rural settings.

Full Article

Rural Clinical School Student Tracking Study

An Overview

Rural-based clinical training at the North West Regional Hospital as part of the MBBS course has been available to medical students since 1999. The first cohort of students are now in their 4th post-graduate year.

Over the last few years a network of 10 rural clinical schools has been established across Australia. This initiative is part of a national rural education and training network funded through the Australian Government's Department of Health and Ageing - Regional Health Strategy. It strengthens the rural focus in medical training and encourages medical professionals to take up a career in rural medical practice. The University of Tasmania's Rural Clinical School was established in the North West region in 2001. Currently 21 medical students are completing the last two years of the MBBS through the Rural Clinical School.

The University of Tasmania's Rural Clinical School has initiated a study to track and survey all past medical students. The purpose of the study is two fold:
· To provide evidence of the quality and effectiveness of rural clinical undergraduate training and the linkages between undergraduate rural clinical progress and career pathways.
· To track the intentions and patterns of practice of all students who have been involved in the rural clinical program at the Rural Clinical School.

Information has been collected by way of a questionnaire completed by past students. The results are currently being presented in an aggregated and summarised way, ready for the first stage of reporting. This study will now be merged with a nationally based initiative involving the wider network of Rural Clinical Schools in Australia and the national RUSC Program.

Link to the full project application for the Human Research Ethics Committee (Tasmania) Network

LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF THE RURAL CLINICAL SCHOOL'S 5TH Year MBBS TRAINING PROGRAM ON STUDENTS AND THEIR CHOSEN CAREER PATHS

North West Rural Palliative Care Project

Overview

The North West Rural Palliative Care Project is one of eight federally funded, rural palliative care projects being facilitated by the Australian Divisions of General Practice (ADGP).

The North West Tasmania Division of General Practice is coordinating the project with the support of key partners, the Tasmanian Palliative Care Service and the University of Tasmania's Rural Clinical School.

The aim of the project is to ensure that people with a life limiting illness receive the best possible care from our regional health services.

The project is part of a national evaluation conducted by the University of Wollongong over the next three years. The information collected in this project will guide continuing improvements in palliative care provision on the North West Coast and in other parts of Tasmania.

For additional information please contact Program Officer; Anita Dow (03) 6432 1440.

For further information about the project please see http://www.adgp.com.au

Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine

Overview

The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) was established in 1997 and offers a Professional Development Program (PDP) which assists and supports doctors with their ongoing learning, whilst living in rural and remote areas.

Alison Miles and Claire Grist (University of Tasmania) are the two Regional Support Officers for ACCRM in Tasmania, and are based at the Rural Clinical School in Burnie. ACRRM has a high commitment to ensuring that rural and remote doctors are able to maintain and enhance their performance and competence throughout their careers, in turn delivering high quality care to their patients.

Alison and Claire are working to promote ACRRM and to get Tasmania's PDP up and running effectively, whilst also supporting both current and future members of the ACRRM group, in all stages of their careers.

For further information please see http://www.acrrm.org.au