Alpine Medical Showcase inspires rural medical students

Temperatures below freezing and falling snow added an exciting element to the learning environment for 35 medical students at Falls Creek last month, as they attended the Alpine Showcase. Hosted by the Goulburn Valley Regional Training Hub in partnership with the Outlook Rural Health Club, the Alpine Showcase was designed for aspiring rural doctors, and showcased the varied and fast paced medical careers that are on offer throughout the region.

A row of medical students stand in the snow as the Falls Creek Ski Patrol demonstrate an on-slope rescue. Students are dressed for the cold, with fresh snow on the ground and overcast weather. Students watch on as the Falls Creek Ski Patrol demonstrate an on-slope rescue.

Generous local emergency medicine specialists and rural generalists guided students through hands-on sessions which included topics such as trauma, analgesia, concussion and fractures, which are a common occurrence in the snowfields. The rural doctors shared their own training journeys with the students, providing pathway guidance and describing the unique work and lifestyle opportunities afforded to rural health workers.

A tour of the Falls Creek Medical Clinic was a highlight of the trip for students, as well as a fantastic demonstration by the ski patrol team, which provided insight into a patient’s journey from injury to emergency treatment.

“The support and guidance shown by these leading clinicians demonstrates the strong learning and development culture that exists in Rural Medicine, particularly in the Hume region, and the varied roles that rural generalism and general practice play in regional communities. By nurturing and inspiring the next generation of regional practitioners we work to support the development of a strong rural medical workforce,” said manager of the Goulburn Valley Regional Training Hub Shane Boyer.

Medical students who participated in the Alpine Showcase stand in front of a bus for a group photo at the base of Falls Creek. Medical students pictured at Falls Creek.

We wish to thank Dr De Witt Oosthuizen, Dr Doug Devereux, Dr Shannon Elliot, Dr Sean Warfe, Dr Lauren Cusson, Dr Laura Zagorski, Dr Risdon Weatherall, the team at Falls Creek and Mount Beauty Medical Centre, Falls Creek Ski Patrol team and the Outlook Rural Health Club.

Based at the University of Melbourne Department of Rural Health, The Goulburn Valley Regional Training Hub works to support regional medical training throughout the Wangaratta, Shepparton and Echuca regions. They provide pathway and career guidance, and collaborate with industry to develop initiatives that support training development, workforce recruitment and retention.