Investing in the future of rural and remote allied health and kids
Investing in the future of rural and remote allied health and kids Conference Paper
11th National Rural Health Conference: Rural and remote Australia: the heart of a healthy nation
- Author(s): Debra Jones, Diena Grant-Thomson, Elizabeth Bourne, David Lyle
- Published: 2011
Abstract: This paper describes the development of an innovative model of allied health student placement in rural and remote communities in western New South Wales. Although in the early stages of program development this model is enhancing opportunities for student placements and health care access within the region. The development of this model has resulted in a paradigm shift from traditional hospital based placement with one-to-one supervision tailored to meet external requirements to cohort placements in sites considered non-traditional for the region, the school education system and aged care and disability sectors, that respond to community priorities of unmet health need. The integration of non-traditional host sites with a direct student service provision role has enabled the Broken Hill University Department of Rural Health (BHUDRH) to expand allied health student placement opportunities. The development of Student Run Clinic Programs (SRCP) has provided a framework to address the unmet health needs of rural and remote populations whilst responding to Federal initiatives to increase capacity for student placements in line with student growth. The complexities associated with the development of this model are identified within this paper and the benefits of adopting a community first solutions approach discussed. No simple intervention can address the complex interconnectedness associated with student placements and health delivery in rural and remote locations. The requirement to develop equally complex Interventions and programs is implicit. The existence of complexity has offered us the unique opportunity to adapt service delivery models to the values and needs of local communities, health care systems and the changing landscape of student placements.
- Urls: https://www.ruralhealth.org.au/11nrhc/papers/11th%20NRHC%20Jones_Debra_E3.pdf
- Publisher Location: Perth