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 (GRH) team. Team members are located in Ballarat, Shepparton and Wangaratta.

Our Easter event has been very successful - students have loved the hot chocolate sticks and keep cups, and best of all we supported an Australian small business buying the sticks. Winter is coming up fast and we have another student event planned for winter - our 'soup in a jar'. See the student events section for more details.

One of the placement projects we have, in partnership with a regional pre-school association, recently made the Shepparton News. See our 'People and Promotions' section for links to the news article and an outline of the project.

We've also got some interesting education happening in May and June - one for students, and two for staff. More information can be found in the education section of the newsletter.

Stay safe, and enjoy the sunshine while it lasts!

The Going Rural Health team

Going Rural Health student support

Student Health & Wellbeing Support

Going Rural Health People & Promotions

Going Rural Health Student Events

Rural Mental Health Placements Available

Rural Job Vacancies

Going Rural Health Education

8th Ngar-Wu Wanyarra Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Conference 2023

Save the Date! - Hume Region Allied Health Conference 2023

University of Melbourne Events & Webinars

External Events, Education & Resources

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

Going Rural Health Website

Going Rural Health & NERPSA Placement Project

Going Rural Health's early intervention kindergarten placements, in partnership with the Northeast Regional Pre School-Association (NERPSA), are providing crucial early intervention services to kindergarten children in Benalla. For more information see the post below, or access it via the link HERE.

The placements also made the Shepparton News recently. To read the article, visit the webpage HERE.

Submit your short video 

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

NEW Going Rural Health News Page

We have recently added a news page to the Going Rural Health website, available via the top menu under 'News" or via the link HERE.

In this we have links to all our news items, including our news posts, which are also accessible below.

Going Rural Health Easter giveaway

The 2023 Easter 'Hot Chocolate & GRH keep cup' giveaway has now completed. Bookings have closed, though we are still in the process of distributing some to our rural partners. Thanks to all who participated.

We had insufficient entries for our photo competition, so we will find another way to give away the prize.

Halls Gap Student Cultural Immersion Day

We have begun planning our Halls Gap Student Cultural Immersion Day for 2023, which will be held in May. We'll be in touch with universities and placement partners once we identify students who may be able to participate.

Watch the newsletter for more details!

Winter Student Event - Soup in a Jar

We'll again be running a 'Winter Warmer' event for students this year, this time over the whole of winter. Our 'Soup in a Jar' was very popular last year, so we have done our homework and found another fabulous recipe for 2023.

Further details will be provided in the next newsletter.

Student Psychology Placements in Wangaratta

A new psychology clinic has been established at Gateway Health in Wangaratta to provide culturally safe and appropriate mental health services, drawing on the skills of postgraduate psychology students.

The Gateway Health Psychology Clinic offers a nurturing and professionally stimulating vocational placement experience for their placement psychologists. Supervisors are an experienced team of psychologists and clinical psychologists. Placement psychologists are an integral part of the Gateway team.

Who can apply?

If you are a Masters or Doctoral candidate studying relevant counselling, clinical, professional, neuropsychology or educational psychology courses you can apply to do a vocational placement with Gateway Health.

Placements are still available for 2023. Contact the team now to apply! 

Wellbeing Placements in rural communities

Through this program, also available are interprofessional service-learning placements in more remote communities working with local primary schools, sporting clubs, mother’s groups, and other groups to deliver holistic mental health support programs. These placements provide a unique and beneficial learning experience that can have a huge impact on rural and remote communities.

By creating new placement programs in communities that need the services most, we are delivering a two-pronged approach; providing an enriching learning experience to students and offering rural communities a service they may not have received otherwise.

Who can apply?

Nursing and allied health students in the disciplines of social work, occupational therapy, dietetics, nutrition, physiotherapy, exercise physiology or other allied health disciplines who require as part of their curriculum an undertaking of practical learning through a placement program can apply.

For more information about these placements, visit the website HERE or contact the Going Rural Health team at going-ruralhealth@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 for advertising in this newsletter to Trish Thorpe at trish.thorpe@unimelb.edu.au

We can also advertise on our website and social media platforms!

Careers Online is the University of Melbourne's official online careers resource where you can advertise your organisation’s employment and work experience opportunities. More than 10,000 University of Melbourne students, recent graduates and alumni access Careers Online every month.

You can self-post your job ad at this site free of charge, at any time, via the link HERE.  All instructions on how to post are on this page.

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 enrol 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 11 free courses & 1 paid course live:

• Supervision Principles for the Novice Supervisor: This course, aimed towards novice supervisors, takes participants through the basics of student supervision, in order to get the best out of students. An adjunct workshop is also offered for a small fee; sessions for 2023 will be scheduled early in the new year.
• 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.
• Human Rights in Healthcare: This course looks at how human rights apply to healthcare, particularly from a regional/rural lens.
• 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.

We currently have 2 courses in development:

• Supervision for Service Learning Placements
• Interprofessional Education for Rural Student Placements

Keep an eye on the newsletter and our social media platforms - we will advertise the new courses via these when they are released.

Online Cultural Learning - for Students ONLY

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

Education

Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) Workshop

Apply peer assisted learning theory to clinical situations when working with two or more students. This workshop is for clinical educators who are new to supervising two or more students at one time, and are looking to provide effective and efficient placements for both educators and students.

When: Monday 22nd May 2023, 10.30am-2pm (includes light lunch)

Where: Maryborough District Health Service, 75-87 Clarendon Street, Maryborough

Cost: $75

Bookings: Please book before May 15th via the link HERE.

Flyer: Use this flyer HERE to distribute to staff 

This workshop is facilitated by Monash Health.

For more information, please contact lauren.woodhart@unimelb.edu.au

Understanding Dementia 

This workshop provides an overview of dementia, including signs, symptoms, causes, and an understanding of how dementia affects the brain and behaviour. Participants will be encouraged to reflect on their practice and ways this knowledge translates into person-centred support for people living with dementia.

Resources and information about services available to carers will be provided.

Who: This workshop is for students in various care settings providing support to people living with dementia.

When: 14th June 2023, 1.30-3.30pm (2 hours)

Where: Virtual classroom session via Zoom, with interactive elements. EACH participant is required to have access to a desktop computer, laptop or tablet with a webcam.

Registrations: Registrations close 4 days prior to the event. All participants must register themselves individually. Registrations are via the link HERE.

More Information: A Zoom link and participant workbook will be emailed to those who have registered 2 days prior to the event. If you have any questions please contact Lauren Woodhart e: lauren.woodhart@unimelb.edu.au

University of Melbourne Supervisor Training: Providing feedback to students in a clinical environment.

When: Thursday 4 May at 4 pm

Where: Online via Zoom.

This interprofessional event is open to our Clinical Educator partners from all disciplines within our faculty (PT, SP, Social Work, Psychology, Audiology, Optometry, Nursing) and provides an opportunity to network with others in clinical education, share ideas and experiences. 

The session will provide:

• understandings about different models of feedback

• best practice for proving constructive and positive feedback

• breakout rooms of Interprofessional clinical educators

• discussion of feedback scenarios

• a Q&A session of interprofessional educators to discuss this important topic

Please register at this link for this interprofessional event HERE.

Aboriginal Cultural Learning Workshops 2023

Ballarat region with Bonnie Chew: For students AND staff

CHARLTON: Thursday 13th July 10am - 4pm, East Wimmera Health Service

MARYBOROUGH: Tuesday 3rd October 9.30am - 4.30pm, Maryborough District Health Service

To book into any of these sessions visit the link  HERE.

Hume Region with Robynne Nelson: For students ONLY

SHEPPARTON:

17th August, 9am-3.30pm, University of Melbourne Shepparton Campus

3rd October, 9am-3.30pm, University of Melbourne Shepparton Campus

WANGARATTA:

16th May, 9am-3.30pm, 'The Chalet' University of Melbourne Wangaratta Campus

9th September, 9am-3.30pm, 'The Chalet' University of Melbourne Wangaratta Campus

To book for any of the Shepparton and Wangaratta workshops, visit the link HERE.

The 2023 Ngar-wu Wanyarra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Conference will be held on Yorta Yorta Country in Shepparton, Victoria on Wednesday 11th October 2023. The conference is delivered by Department of Rural Health, University of Melbourne and is in its 8th consecutive year.

Meaning to ‘listen and act’ in Yorta Yorta language – the Ngar-Wu Wanyarra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander conference recognises First Nation knowledges and voices and aims to facilitate the exchange of information of key topics in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ health and wellbeing.

The conference provides a forum for the presentation of cutting-edge program initiatives and research findings in Aboriginal health and wellbeing by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community leaders, health practitioners and their colleagues.

For more information, and to submit an abstract, visit the webpage  HERE.

SAVE THE DATE! 

Join us at the Hume Region Allied Health Conference on the 26th of October 2023.

Alongside the North East and Goulburn Valley Allied Health Education Group, we're working to deliver this fantastic conference at the University of Melbourne Shepparton campus. More details to come.

Learn more  HERE.

2023 University of Melbourne Webinars

Public Webinar Series 2023

Why is Philip such a fidget and Johnny an airhead? - Understanding ADHD

The University of Melbourne, Department of Rural Health bring you a public webinar by Professor Dave Coghill.

Dave Coghill is the Financial Markets Foundation Chair of Developmental Mental Health at the University of Melbourne. His research focuses on increasing understanding of child and adolescent mental health using a range of approaches including longitudinal observational studies and big data approaches, neuropsychopharmacology, clinical trials, pharmacoepidemiology and patient reported outcomes.

Dave has maintained a strong clinical presence developing clinical pathways that facilitate the rapid transfer of research evidence into routine clinical practice. His clinical work is split between the Royal Children’s Hospital and Orygen.

He recently co-published a paper 'Long-term safety of common ADHD medication for children and adolescents'. ADHD is a chronic neurodevelopmental condition that affects 7% of children and 2% of adults worldwide, and includes attention and organisational difficulties, hyperactivity and impulses. Professor Coghill said that ADHD is a lifelong condition for many people, that if untreated can result in
serious negative outcomes.

 
There is the opportunity to ask questions when registering and on the night.

When:  Wednesday 3rd May 2023, 5.30-6.30pm

Where: Online via Zoom

Registrations: Register for this event online HERE.

Enquiries: Di Doyle - Events Coordinator E: ddoyle@unimelb.edu.au or P: (03) 5823 4512. 

Past Webinars

Past recordings of webinars are available via the DRH website (link below).

Department of Rural Health Facebook: DRH Facebook

Department of Rural Health Website: DRH Website

Centre for Culture, Ethnicity & Health

In this webinar, you will learn to work effectively with interpreters and provide better support and services to people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Hear from specialists in family violence and cultural competence who will show you how to engage with interpreters, prepare them for the session, establish clear ground rules, and be aware of cultural differences and sensitivities.

To book, visit the link HERE.

RWAV Seeking Rural Ambassadors

The Rural Workforce Agency of Victoria (RWAV) is currently seeking Victorian-based health students who are passionate about rural health to represent RWAV as Rural Health Ambassadors at career exhibitions, conferences, and rural health-focused events around Victoria.

RWAV covers travel, accommodation, and meal costs associated with attendance and provides any training needed. The program’s purpose is focused on the promotion of health careers to young people, especially those from rural and regional backgrounds.  

Participation in the program comes with a multitude of benefits including;

• The opportunity to network with industry professionals & organisations that can assist students in the future
• Gain professional leverage and prestige
• Contributions to the program and rural health will be recognised in the RWAV Annual report
• The opportunity to attend fun and exciting events
• Travel throughout Victoria 
• Engage with young people and share experience  
• Participants receive a certificate of achievement 
• RWAV will provide verbal and written references upon request
• RWAV will provide training where needed  

Find out more about RWAV’s Rural Ambassador Program at: www.rwav.com.au/seeking-rural-ambassadors/

Allied Health Clinical Supervision Framework

Accessible online FREE via the Department of Health website HERE.

Paediatric Nursing Webinars 2023

Allied Health Paediatric Webinars 2023

SARRAH Leadership Program 2023 Dates

Program 2: 28/08/2023 - 06/10/2023

Gain the skills and knowledge to lead and manage your organisation and enhance your career opportunities through leading, mentoring, and coaching.

This course is ideal not only for allied health professionals but any individuals aiming to become a successful leader and agent for change in the rural and remote health landscape of Australia. SARRAH offers flexible and affordable study options including online learning and discounted rates for SARRAH members.  

The course has been built around four key topics:

• Leadership Vs Management
• "Being" leadership
• "Doing" leadership
• "Maintaining" leadership 

For more information, and to enroll, visit the link HERE.

LGBTIQA+ Group Supervision

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

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

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. 

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 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.

Department of Rural Health (DRH) Survey

Please take time to participate in this 20-minute survey to help better understand how mental health, physical health, wellbeing and access to health services can be challenged during widespread disruptions and how people can be supported during these times. ­­­­­­­

The survey can be accessed here: HERE.

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 .