Students get a taste of the medical profession

SENIOR students from Bendigo South East College, Girton Grammar, Highview College Maryborough, Marist College Bendigo and Victory Christian College visited Bendigo Tech School in Flora Hill last week to experience what it’s like to work in medicine.

The second annual Medical Clinical Immersion Day, run in partnership with the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine and Goldfields Local Learning and Employment Network, saw the budding medicos participate in a series of workshops, simulations, and question and answer sessions designed to give them an authentic experience of clinical life.

The students took part in a plastering workshop, tested their reflexes with hammers, tried out ultrasound and eye/ear exam tools and even practiced using slings and splints.

They also heard directly from rural and regional clinicians about life on the frontline as well as from university representatives about entry requirements and study options for medical careers.

Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine president Dr Rod Martin said programs like this are vitally important for building the future rural medical workforce.

“Giving students the chance to experience rural and remote medicine firsthand can spark an interest that shapes an entire career,” he said.

“They get the chance to see the variety of clinical work and the strong connection with community – there really is no career like it.”

Goldfields Local Learning and Employment Network executive officer Dave Burton said, “Experiences like this are critical in helping young people see that these careers are not only possible, but achievable right here in our region.”