A compulsory experiential and inter-professional rural health subject for undergraduate students.

Abstract

CONTEXT: The Australian University Departments of Rural Health (UDRH) program aims to improve the rural workforce through improving rural experiences of undergraduates, graduates and health professionals. The 10 UDRHs vary in the way they implement the UDRH Program. This article describes the development of a compulsory, experiential and inter-professional rural health subject in a medical curriculum by the UDRH at the University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The key concepts, underpinning theory, processes, logistics and resources required to develop and implement the subject among a network of small towns and Indigenous communities are examined. Methods: Methods used included formative evaluation using a participatory research approach, including the examination of internal discussion papers, minutes of meetings and planning workshops, financial records and feedback from students, staff and preceptors. ISSUES: Students, staff and preceptors generally accept the value of the rural health module in professional training. However, they stress the need for explicit learning objectives, relevant content and engaging delivery. Students expressed some concern about the compulsory nature of the subject. Significant issues are capacity, quality, sustainability and managing expectations of government and communities. Capacity includes the availability of appropriate placements and preceptors who have the capacity and capability to teach or to be supported to teach. The availability of appropriate and affordable accommodation is important, as are the cost and safety of travel to and from placements. Sustainability of 'placements' and 'placement fatigue' must be managed with a combination of resources and preceptor training and support. Quality of placements is important and highlights a paradox in that, while academically rigorous teaching, research and clinical programs for students and preceptors are important for quality, they are mostly perceived as additional burdens by health service providers. Finally, the expectations and commitment of stakeholders, in particular governments and communities, for student placements must be realistic and backed with resources. LESSONS LEARNED: A compulsory experiential inter-professional subject for undergraduate students is possible but requires significant resources and commitment over the long term. The resources must include funding for: preceptor time, training and support; recruitment and retention of appropriately qualified academic clinicians; intersectoral strategies like improved public transport and safe roads; community and other stakeholder engagement to develop and maintain educational facilities. Last but not least, funding is essential to support the long-term evaluation and monitoring of the outcomes in terms of the quality and quantity of the rural workforce over time.