GOING RURAL HEALTH NEWS
The Going Rural Health Newsletter
Edition 36 - June 2023
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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.

We recently received fantastic feedback from a student who had attended our Halls Gap student Cultural Immersion Experience, who stated it was one of the most influential learning experiences of her entire degree. We are hosting this again next week so watch next month's newsletter for some details of the day.

In June, we will launch our 'Winter Warmers' student event - our 'Soup in a Jar'. It was extremely popular in 2022, so we have found a new recipe that can either be made as 4 mugs of soup OR can be made as a whole batch for a larger meal. See our student events section for more details.

Winter is coming - it feels like it has already arrived in Ballarat - so stay safe on the roads, look after yourselves, and rug up!

The Going Rural Health team

In this month's edition:

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 Student Support

Going Rural Health (GRH) 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.

2023 Changes: There have been a number of changes to the eligibility criteria in 2023. Some of the changes are that students are no longer eligible for funding if they apply after their placements have concluded, or if they decline accommodation offered. 

More information about the Going Rural Health Student Support Scheme, including how to apply & eligibility criteria, is available HERE.

Student Health & Wellbeing Support

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 enroll (click 'start now') 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.

 

Going Rural Health People & Promotions

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

 

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.

Allied health students providing crucial early intervention services
A partnership with the Northeast Regional Pre School-Association (NERPSA).
Read more...
Hume Region Allied Health Conference 2023
Save the date! Hume Region Allied Health Conference 2023
Read more...
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Going Rural Health Student Events

Going Rural Health Winter Event - Soup in a Jar

 

This winter, we are again running a student giveaway - Soup in a Jar (see details above). Most of these will be given out at our University of Melbourne campuses, but we may also be able to drop some off to our rural health service partners (by arrangement only). Contact your local Going Rural Health representative for more details or to see if a drop off is possible.

 

Jar numbers are limited.

 

 

Halls Gap Student Cultural Immersion Day

This year's will be run next Monday. Watch next month's newsletter for an evaluation of the day.

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Rural Mental Health Placements Available

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

 

Rural Job Vacancies

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!

 
 
 

Graduate Psychologists Wanted

Maryborough Behavioural Health has an opportunity for two psychology or clinical psychology graduates to join the practice. Maryborough is located under an hour from Ballarat and Bendigo or half an hour from Castlemaine. You'll be working in lovely modern air-conditioned offices with on-site parking, servicing the local community across a wide range of presentations and age groups.  We have a ready referral network and days and hours are negotiable. If interested, please email Jo at pheehunter@hotmail.com to make a time to chat.

 

 

University of Melbourne's FREE 'Post a Job' Page

Do you want to advertise your job ad with University of Melbourne Alumni and students?

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.

Going Rural Health Education

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

 

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

 

 

 

Introduction to innovative supervision models in rural practice

When: Fri, 23 Jun 2023 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Where: Mansfield District Hospital, 53 Highett Street Mansfield, VIC 3722

 

This workshop is interactive in nature and designed to equip inexperienced supervisors with an understanding of innovative approaches to supervision in rural practice, as well as provide the necessary knowledge and practical skills to effectively supervise students within their health service.

What we will cover in the workshop:

  • Innovative approaches to supervision: why, what, how
  • Student needs
  • Supervisor role
  • Preparing for placement
  • Setting expectations and goals
  • Feedback and reflection

Tea and Coffee provided.

For more information, please contact going-ruralhealth@unimelb.edu.au

 

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:

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.

 

Please contact the education team via the Going Rural Health email address: going-ruralhealth@unimelb.edu.au  for details of all education, or if any issues with bookings.

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

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! - Hume Region Allied Health Conference 2023

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.

University of Melbourne Webinars & Events

2023 University of Melbourne Webinars

 

Public Webinar Series 2023

There are currently no webinars planned for June 2023.

 

Past Webinars

Past recordings of webinars are available via the DRH website (link below), including the 'Understanding ADHD' webinar from May.

 

Department of Rural Health Facebook: DRH Facebook

Department of Rural Health Website: DRH Website



External Events, Education & Resources

University of Newcastle Department of Rural Health

Do you supervise students?

This research and professional development opportunity is for clinicians who provide workplace-based training for students from health and social care professions.

Participants will explore their personal encounters and perceptions about other professions and develop insights into how these experiences shape their practice as health professionals and clinical educators, and discover what this means for student learning about interprofessional collaborative practice.

Click on the link to the flyer for more details and to book 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 HERE.

 

Allied Health Clinical Supervision Framework

Accessible online FREE via the Department of Health website HERE.

 

Paediatric Nursing Webinars 2023

A number of free webinars about paediatric nursing will be available for regional/rural health professionals in 2023. Recordings of past webinars are also available.
 
To access the schedule and register for any webinar you will need to register for a free account HERE.
 
 

Allied Health Paediatric Webinars 2023

A number of free webinars on paediatric Allied Health topics will be available for regional/rural health professionals in 2023. Recordings of past webinars are also available.

The following webinar session recordings are now available via course link here.

  • Respiratory health in neurodisability
  • Clubfoot and infant foot deformities
  • Playful practice towards therapy success
 
To access the schedule and register for any webinar you will need to register for a free account HERE. 
 

Upcoming education opportunities:

Normal Paediatric Parameters online course

This engaging session uses a variety patient case studies, videos and interactive activities to upskill you on

  • normal paediatric developmental stages with a focus on the 0–6 years age group
  • developmental assessment tools
  • developmental risk factors, concerns, red flags and referral pathways

Date/time: Tue 30 May 2023 at 1.00-4.30pm

Steps to register:

  1. Sign in or create an account on www.learn.rch.org.au
  2. Click on this Normal Paed Parameters course link to register and pay.
 

June Allied Health Webinar: Paediatric Injuries and Growth Issues - sports related or not

Date/time: Tuesday 20th June at 1-2pm​

Presenter: Dr Peter Barnett, Paediatric Emergency Physician and Paediatrician

Free to view

Register HERE.
 
 
 

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.

 

 
My Allied Health Space is a great resource for allied health professionals and allied health students working in the field of disability.
It provides information, tools and training resources and supports the Allied health capability framework: https://vimeo.com/490266139
To access this great resource, visit the website here: https://www.myalliedhealthspace.org/

 

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/.

Going Rural Health & UDRH Research

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 .

Going Rural Health Website

www.goingruralhealth.com.au

All our resources for students and staff/supervisors can still be found in the student or staff menus. Please feel free to contact us at going-ruralhealth@unimelb.edu.au if you have any items to add or queries regarding content.

The website has a new videos page, that contains all videos relevant to student rural placements. Find the new page HERE.

Contact Details

Newsletter: To subscribe or change your subscription, please click here.

If you would like to contribute to Going Rural Health news please email your contribution to trish.thorpe@unimelb.edu.au

Email: going-ruralhealth@unimelb.edu.au

Website: www.goingruralhealth.com.au 

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The University of Melbourne Department of Rural Health acknowledges the financial support provided by the Australian Government, through the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training program, for the Going Rural Health program.
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which our campuses are located, pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to all Indigenous Australians.
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