Physiotherapy Student Extended Rural Immersion Clinic (ERIC) Program
An ‘Extended Rural Immersion Clinic’ (ERIC), is an opportunity for student physiotherapists interested in a career in rural health to undertake an immersive long-block placement in our region.
Typically, a block of placement for Physiotherapy is five weeks, with ERIC, it is 10-15 weeks. Placements may be in one health service, or across multiple health services.
Evidence shows that rural placement opportunities increase the recruitment and retention of students back to country areas. Extended placements have an even greater effect, and also allow time for students to get more out of their learning experiences, and to connect and engage with their unique local communities.
Information for students
The Going Rural Health Physiotherapy Extended Rural Cohort program, is an initiative that, in partnership with participating health services and physiotherapy practices, allows participating student physiotherapists to complete a long-term practicum with a rural healthcare provider!
The program supports physiotherapy students to access financial support and education opportunities to enable them to get the most out of Going Rural Health! If you are interested in participating in the program, please reach out to Going Rural Health or share this information with your university placement team.
Information for placement sites
Partnering with Going Rural Health in offering places for physiotherapy students to take part in an Extended Rural Cohort, offers facilities and clinics a multitude of benefits!
Students bring vitality and energy to the workplaces within which they are placed, and challenge those working with them to stay current with new and emerging evidence and practices. In addition to this, students are empowered to benefit the communities in which the host site serves through Service-Learning Placements specifically aimed at local needs.
We work closely with partnering facilities of the program in order to support their capacity to offer students of the program a positive and memorable rural learning experience. Supports such as external student supervision, supervisor upskilling and education, and pastoral care for students.
Contact the Going Rural Health team to learn how your organisation can partner with GRH to benefit from placing student physiotherapists!
Accommodation or financial support for students
Student physiotherapists participating in the program may be eligible for financial assistance or subsidised accommodation in order to complete their extended rural placement.
Contact us to find out more!