Welcome to Going Rural Health News! Going Rural Health News is the publication of new and relevant information about all things related to rural clinical placements, education and rural health, from the Going Rural Health team. Team members are located in Ballarat, Shepparton and Wangaratta.

The colder weather has produced some health challenges, just as serious in regional and rural areas as in metro areas. Despite this, regional and rural placements are running full steam ahead, many at sites newly developed by the Going Rural Health team, and providing many benefits to local patients, clients and community members.

The Going Rural Health team have also been working hard on our online courses. The Online Learning Centre now has 3 new online courses available, including the much anticipated NIGEL Series. See our education section for more details.

So stay warm, stay safe, stay healthy, and connect your staff and students to our online learning and activities happening in your region.

 The Going Rural Health team

Going Rural Health student support

Going Rural Health Team News

2022 Primary Care Refresher

Student Health & Wellbeing Support

Going Rural Health Student Events

Rural Placements wanted!

Rural Job Vacancies

Going Rural Health Extended Rural Immersion Clinic (ERIC)

Going Rural Health Education

University of Melbourne Events & Webinars

External Education & Resources

Going Rural Health and University Department of Rural Health (UDRH) Research

Going Rural Health Website

Going Rural Health supports students to complete rural clinical placements. Support includes financial assistance, subsidised accommodation in selected areas, education, mentoring support, student activities, & cultural training.  For financial assistance, eligible students may only receive EITHER subsidised accommodation at University of Melbourne owned housing (where available, subject to availability) OR a financial payment for their placement (not both). Financial payment is calculated per day of attendance at placement.

From 2022, longer placements and those in smaller rural centres will attract more financial assistance. More information on the Going Rural Health Student Support Scheme, including how to apply & eligibility criteria, is available HERE.

As always, we are trying to ensure that students get the best placement experience possible. Please help us to do this by directing students to complete our Student Placement Survey. It is a short online survey that should only take students 10-15 minutes to complete.

Co-location of Going Rural Health Educator

Kylie Browne (pictured with the Kyabram education team above, far right) is a Going Rural Health Associate Lecturer in Rural Placement Education, based in Shepparton. She will be co-located one day per week with the Kyabram District Health Service education team (above), and also with Echuca Regional Health education team, and will support and enhance education and training in theatre, as well as local student supervisor training. This strategy is aimed at partnering with rural health care providers to strengthen health workforce capacity, skills and knowledge.

New Going Rural Health Team Member

We are happy to welcome Tara Case to our Wangaratta team! Formerly employed by the team as a casual student supervisor, Tara has joined the team and will be working with us part time. She is a Mental Health Occupational Therapist (OT), and will be, amongst other roles, helping the team develop OT placements in our Wangaratta region. 

This is a call for all western Victorian GPs, practice nurses, practice managers and practice staff to register for Western Victoria Primary Health Network's free keynote event of 2022.

The 2022 Primary Care Refresher hybrid conference will be held over two days on 4-5 June, 2022 with concurrent GP and Primary Care streams.  

Saturday 4 June:

·     Attend online, or

·   Network with your peers at our face-to-face venues in Geelong, Ballarat, Horsham or Warrnambool (places strictly limited)

Sunday 5 June:

·     Online only

Registrations for the conference are FREE and open to all primary health care professionals in western Victoria.

For more information, see the attached flyer HERE.

Click here to register

View the detailed event program

There are a number of wellbeing supports available to students while they are on placement. Details are available on the Going Rural Health website on our 'Online Resources for Students page, and also outlined below:

1. CRANA Plus Bush Support Services: Toll free 24hr free phone counselling service for those in rural areas, including students while they are on placement. Phone 1800 805 391 anytime.
2. CRANA Plus free course: Adapting Self-Care Practices During Clinical Placement
3. National Rural Health Student Network Mental Health guide: When the Cowpat Hits the Windmill

4. The Going Rural Health Wellbeing & Resilience course:

   To access the course, follow this link HERE.

   You will need to register for the website (if you haven’t already), log-in to the website, and enrol to complete the course.

   If you have any issues with access please contact the team at going-ruralhealth@unimelb.edu.au

5. Health & Wellbeing Service – telehealth appointments:

   The Rural Clinical School offers telehealth counselling services while students are on placement. Please see the link HERE for more details and to book an appointment.

RURAL RUG-UP EVENT

It's getting cold outside, so the team is running a winter-warmer June student event. For more information see the flyer above. Please pass this on to your regional/rural placement students.

Bookings essential. For bookings visit our Eventbrite booking page HERE.

Are you a nursing or allied health student currently completing, or have completed, a regional or rural placement?

We're on the look-out for new stories from our student and alumni community to bring our video projects to life. Scan the QR code or follow the below link to get started:

go.unimelb.edu.au/5oxe

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a backlog of placements for universities for many disciplines, which will end up leading to delays in students graduating, and as a result less health professionals available for the workforce.

Do you think your organisation might be able to host a nursing or allied health student (or two)? Going Rural Health can help you develop placements and support placement students.

For more information please contact Trish Thorpe at  trish.thorpe@unimelb.edu.au

The team are now providing another platform for rural and regional organisations to advertise their employment opportunities to our network. Please feel free to send the details of any vacancies to Trish Thorpe at trish.thorpe@unimelb.edu.au

Associate Lecturer in Rural Mental Health Education

Would you like to join the University of Melbourne Department of Rural Health in Wangaratta? Do you have mental health qualifications?

The University is looking for an educator to develop, support and teach into community-based rural mental health and wellbeing student placements for its newly funded project, Mental Health and Wellbeing for Remote and Aboriginal Victorians.

In 2021, Going Rural Health have organised a new 'Extended Rural Immersion Clinic' (ERIC) for physiotherapy students.  This will continue for 2022.

ERIC students complete multiple consecutive rural placements over an extended period, from 10-20 weeks, to immerse the students in the rural community. Emerging research evidence shows that immersion placements for nursing and allied health students are more likely to result in students working in rural locations.

If your organisation would like to participate in this program, please contact the Going Rural Health team at going-ruralhealth@unimelb.edu.au

Online Going Rural Health Education

Have you seen the Going Rural Health Online Learning Centre on our website? We have a number of free courses for both students and health professionals. To access the Learning Centre visit the webpage HERE. 

Participants will need to register for the website, log-in and enroll in courses. Certificates of completion will be automatically generated upon successful completion of courses. If you have any problems with this process please contact the team at going-ruralhealth@unimelb.edu.au

Courses will be added as they are released, but the site currently has 10 free courses live:

• NEW! New Interdisciplinary Graduate Education and Learning (NIGEL) Series: One of our newest courses, this course is targeted towards mostly non-clinical learning for new graduates, especially those working in regional and rural areas. Covering 9 topics, this will help health professionals new to practice with the transferable skills they need in their day-to-day work.
• NEW! Human Rights in Healthcare: This course looks at how human rights apply to healthcare, particularly from a regional/rural lens.
• NEW! Project Supervision for Student Placements: This course provides some tips on selecting and designing placement projects that fit timeframes, student learning requirements, and desired outcomes for all.
• Online Introduction to Rural Practice: this is our updated course introducing students and new staff to practicing in a rural community. Great for those new to rural health.
• Wellbeing and Resilience: an updated version of our Resilience module, the course has been moved to the Learning Centre for easier access. Health professionals - including health students - as a group don't tend to look after themselves well; this course gives insight and tips as to how to look after ourselves better.
• Giving and Receiving Effective Feedback: This is a combination of our original two separate courses (Giving Feedback, and Receiving Feedback), as much of the content was similar. Provides tips to better receive feedback, especially if it is negative, and ways to provide more effective feedback to staff and students.
• Communication: Tools to optimise your communication skills and ensure the perceived message is the intended message.
• Social Media Posting for Health Professionals. A package, particularly for young health students or experienced health professionals new to social media, that discusses the pitfalls and risks associated with social media posting on various platforms.
• Responding Effectively to Upset and Complaining Patients or Family. This course discusses methods to work with these individuals for best outcomes.
• Critical Thinking & Clinical Reasoning. This topic discusses what critical thinking is and how to implement into your everyday practice as a health practitioner.

Online Cultural Training - for Students ONLY

Going Rural Health, in collaboration with a Yorta Yorta traditional custodian from the Shepparton region, have developed an online cultural training course for students. The course can be accessed via our website HERE.

Education - June/July 2022

STAFF:

Introduction to Supervision Workshop

All sessions have now been converted to online format!

More information and bookings via this link HERE.

STUDENTS:

Student Tutorials 2022

Aimed at students but also suitable for new graduates.

Critical Thinking & Clinical Reasoning: June 6th, 1.30-2.30pm, via Zoom

Ownership of Learning: June 8th, 9-10am, via Zoom

For more information, and to book, visit the StarRez online events page HERE.

STAFF & STUDENTS:

Effective Teamwork Workshop

Event dates 2022:

When: 16th June 1.30-3.30pm

Where: University of Melbourne Rural Campus, 49 Graham Street Shepparton

Cost:   Staff $25

 Students: free - Email kylie.browne@unimelb.edu.au for student discount code.

Bookings essential. For more information, and to book, visit our booking page HERE.

Cultural Competency in Aboriginal Health Training

The Department of Rural Health invites allied health, pharmacy, nursing and medical students from all Universities to participate in a free Cultural Competency in Aboriginal Health training workshop. Robynne Nelson delivers a highly informative and valuable session on Cultural Competency in Aboriginal Health, helping you to increase your skills and knowledge for working with Indigenous people and communities in a more culturally appropriate and effective way.

Shepparton details:

When:  Thursday 4th August, 9.30am-3.30pm

             Thursday 13th October, 9.30am-3.30pm

Where: University of Melbourne Rural Campus, 49 Graham St Shepparton

Wangaratta details:

When:   Thursday 8th September, 9.30am-3.30pm (Note change of date)

Where: University of Melbourne Rural Campus, 'The Chalet' Docker St, Wangaratta

Shepparton and Wangaratta workshops are for STUDENTS ONLY. COVID-19 requirements apply.

Bookings essential. For more information, and to book, visit http://go.unimelb.edu.au/9u7i

Ballarat details:

The Going Rural Health team at the University of Melbourne Department of Rural Health invites all nursing and allied health students to participate in Aboriginal Cultural Insight Experience Virtual Workshops. Nursing and allied health university and health service staff are also welcome to attend. Traditional Owner Bonnie Chew will conduct virtual cultural awareness workshops introducing students and staff to past and present Aboriginal Australia. These sessions will give students and staff an insight into the Aboriginal history in Australia and an opportunity to discuss meeting the health and well-being needs of today’s community in a meaningful and culturally appropriate manner.

When: Tuesday 31st May, 9.30am-4.30pm (hurry, bookings close soon!)

            Thursday 14th July, 9.30am-4.30pm.

            Wednesday 30th November, 9.30am-4.30pm

Where: University of Melbourne Rural Campus, 806 Mair St, Ballarat.

Cost: Staff $30. Students: FREE. 

COVID-19 requirements apply.

Bookings essential. To book, visit our Eventbrite page HERE.

NOTE: Students - please contact Trish Thorpe trish.thorpe@unimelb.edu.au for FREE student booking links.

Please contact the education team via the Going Rural Health email address: going-ruralhealth@unimelb.edu.au  for details of all education, if any issues with bookings, or to book a virtual session from the education list at Education topics.

The University of Melbourne Department of Rural Health - Free Public Lecture/Webinar

Topic: Get a Life! What you can (and cannot) do to help your child get back into life post-COVID

Presented by: Dr Andrew Wake, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Andrew is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and currently works with a young outreach service as well as private practice.  Andrew contributes to psychwire as an international expert on parenting questions.

This public lecture is targeted at parents and school teachers to help you people re-engage post COVID. There will be the opportunity for Q & A at the end of the presentation.

When: Wednesday 8th June, 5.30-7pm

Where: The Department of Rural Health, 49 Graham St Shepparton, or online

Registrations: For more information, and to book visit the link HERE.

Save the Date & Call for Abstracts

The 2022 7th Annual Ngar-wu Wanyarra Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Conference will be held face to face with online options on Wednesday 12th October 2022, in Shepparton on Yorta Yorta Country.

The aim of the conference is to facilitate the exchange of information on key issues in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' health and well-being, and provide a forum for the presentation of cutting-edge program initiatives and research findings by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners and their colleagues.

The call for Abstracts is now open; there is opportunity of present or have a stall or poster presentation. To submit an abstract, go to: https://go.unimelb.edu.au/2bae

For more information about the conference, visit the conference website at: https://go.unimelb.edu.au/4a6e

Meet Melbourne 2022

Ever wondered about the benefits and supports for regional and rural students studying at the University of Melbourne? Come along to one of the 'Meet Melbourne' events running in a regional/rural area near you in 2022, and ask about 'Access Melbourne'.

Events in the Going Rural Health footprint are listed below. 

Horsham: Wednesday 1st June, 5.30-7.30pm, Horsham Golf Club, 304 Golf Course Road, Haven 3401.

Echuca: Wednesday 8th June, 5.30-7.30pm, The Mill, 2-8 Nish Street Echuca 3564.

Seymour: Tuesday 12th July, 5.30-7.30pm, Seymour Club, 1 Elizabeth Street, Seymour 3660.

Shepparton: Wednesday 13th July, 5.30-7.30pm, University of Melbourne Department of Rural Health, 49 Graham Street, Shepparton 3630.

Ballarat: Tuesday 26th July, 5.30-7.30pm, Craig's Royal Hotel, 10 Lydiard Street South, Ballarat 3350.

Please note though that there are other regional/rural towns hosting an event that are not listed here.

Bookings are essential. For more details, and to book into an event, visit the webpage HERE.

 

My Allied Health Space is a great resource for allied health professionals and allied health students working in the field of disability.

RCH Education Outreach Program

Course: Normal Paediatric Parameters – understanding development

Course objectives include:

• Describe normal paediatric developmental stages - with a focus on the 0–6 years age group
• Identify developmental risk factors, concerns and red flags
• Demonstrate what to do if concerns are detected
• Recognise some common developmental assessment tools
• Explain common referral pathways

When: Tuesday 28^th June 2022, 1pm-4:15pm

Where: Online

Registration: via this Eventbrite link HERE.

AHCEN Complex Case Series

The Allied Health Clinical Educators Network 'Complex Clinical Cases' are a series of online webinars which aim to upskill Allied Health Professionals and promote inter-professional practice.

The intended audience is early years Allied Health Professionals. These free webinars welcome four Allied Health experts from different organisations and professional backgrounds to discuss their experience and approaches in the assessment, treatment and management of a patient with a complex clinical topic.

Case studies will centre around the following topics in 2022:

• Oncology: Head and Neck Cancer: Wednesday July 27th, 3-4.30pm
• Acute Neurology: Thursday September 15th, 3-4.30pm

Registrations will open 3-4 weeks prior to each webinar (held via Zoom).

For more details contact alliedhealth.education@rch.org.au

LGBTIQA+ Group Supervision

Want to learn more about working with LGBTIQ+ people as a health professional? Join Lachlan Slade for these group supervision sessions.

For more information, and to book (various dates available), visit https://events.humanitix.com/group-supe#

Allied Health Paediatric Videoconference Series

JUNE: Managing Fussy Eating - the first steps

When: Tuesday 21st June 2022, 1-2pm

Presenter: Early Childhood Intervention Services, RCH

Registration: Via Eventbrite HERE.

Registration is via the Eventbrite links and it closes 2 business days before each presentation. It is free to attend and we encourage any health professional interested to view one or all of them.

If you have any questions about this series please email education.outreach@rch.org.au

Free Student Resource From CRANA plus:

Adapting Self-Care Practices During Clinical Placement

The resource is for any student preparing for a placement in a rural or remote setting. To access the resource, visit the webpage HERE. 

Allied Health Clinical Educators Network Clinical Supervision Modules

The Allied Health Clinical Educators’ Network (AHCEN), has released some modules on training staff in clinical supervision. They include:

• Setting up a clinical supervision relationship
• Providing effective feedback
• Developing Clinical Reasoning through Supervision
• Supporting Wellbeing through Clinical Supervision

For more details see the document HERE.

Head to Help: A Free Mental Health Service For All Victorians

This is a service available through the Primary Health Network (PHN), for Victorians of any age experiencing mental ill-health - whether they have a GP mental health plan or not. The service is FREE, and no appointments are required.

Phone: 1800 595 212 8.30am - 5pm Monday to Friday (except public holidays).

For more details see the website HERE.

NOTE: This is NOT a crisis service.

For urgent support call Lifeline on 13 11 14

Out of hours and weekends call Beyond Blue on 1800 512 348.

Yarning SafeNStrong - A New Counselling Service for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Peoples

The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service has established Yarning SafeNStrong: a free and confidential counselling service for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Peoples. The service is available 24 hours, 7 days a week to people and families who need to have a yarn with someone about their wellbeing.

Phone: 1800 959 563

For more information see the website HERE.

Three Rivers UDRH

Three Rivers UDRH supports health professionals, staff and students by offering free online courses. The following two courses are especially relevant:

Three Rivers UDRH Rural Clinical Placements – How to grow your own course .

Three Rivers UDRH Telehealth - Embracing Technology in Healthcare

Student telehealth placements resource

There is a great resource available from SARRAH about student telehealth placements. It is a copy of the presentation from a recent webinar. Access it via the link below:

SARRAH webinar student TH placements Robyn Gill

PHN resources

WestVic PHN and Murray PHN also have education available in regional and rural areas. See their websites for details of what is on in your region:

WestVic PHN: https://westvicphn.com.au/events-education/upcoming-events/

Murray PHN: https://www.murrayphn.org.au/events/

The Going Rural Health program sits within the University Department of Rural Health (UDRH) of The University of Melbourne. The UDRH undertakes a number of research projects, some of which relate to student placements - from both the student perspective, and of those who support students (supervisors and placement support staff).

Student Placement Survey

As previously mentioned, Going Rural Health are trying to ensure that students get the best placement experience possible. Please help us to do this by directing students to complete our Student Placement Survey. It is a short online survey that should only take students 10-15 minutes to complete.

Supervisor & Placement Support Staff Survey

Going Rural Health are undertaking a research project to gain a better understanding of rural clinical placements, from the perspective of those who support students (supervisors and placement support staff). Many of you will have already received an email from one of the Going Rural Health team members to invite you to participate, and to encourage you to share the invite with your colleagues. Visit the Going Rural Health webpage HERE for more details.

If you would like any further information on any of these projects, please contact the Going Rural Health team at going-ruralhealth@unimelb.edu.au .