Virtual Reality brings regions to life to future rural health students
The University of Melbourne’s Department of Rural Health has launched an immersive virtual reality (VR) experience showcasing regional hospital working life in regional Victoria.
The VR experience provides users with a glimpse into the social and professional life of healthcare practitioners in Wangaratta and its surrounding regions.
Developed in collaboration with Northeast Health in Wangaratta in Northeast Victoria, the VR experience aims to address challenges in providing immersive rural training experiences as well as showcasing the region, offering a taste of life in rural practice.
“Traditionally, VR was a feature in clinical placements but our VR experience provides a firsthand look into rural healthcare,” Dr Tegan Podubinsk, Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne Department of Rural Health, said.
The primary goal of the innovative VR initiative is to attract more health professionals to the Wangaratta region and Northeast Heath.
By offering a comprehensive virtual experience, it encourages health students and professionals from metropolitan areas to consider the advantages of going rural.
“It offers a firsthand glimpse into what it’s like to work in a regional hospital, while allowing users to step out and explore the diverse leisurely activities offered in the region,” Dr Podubinski said.
Kim Bennetts, Executive Director, People & Corporate Operations at Northeast Health Wangaratta says; “this VR program is a game-changer for rural healthcare recruitment. It not only showcases our region's healthcare opportunities but also highlights the lifestyle, making Wangaratta a desirable option.”
Designed for health students and professionals from metropolitan areas, the VR experience will debut at career fairs and health conferences.
In the next phase, the Department plans to recruit potential rural healthcare workers to gauge the impact of the VR experience on their interest in and intentions for pursuing a rural health career.
Any metro-based health students or health professionals interested in viewing the experience and completing some pre and post surveys can contact Tegan Podubinski, Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne Department of Rural Health: tegan.podubinski@unimelb.edu.au.
About the University of Melbourne Department of Rural Health
The Department of Rural Health sits within the Melbourne Medical School at the University of Melbourne and is funded primarily by the Australian Government Department of Health’s Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) Program.
The Department is based in Shepparton, Ballarat, Bendigo (in partnership with Monash University) and Wangaratta and has associations with more than 40 smaller rural towns in Victoria. The key purpose of the Department is to provide professional health education and research training in a rural context with an aim to increase the rural health workforce.
The Department works closely with the local community and healthcare partners to ensure that it remains relevant and connected with partnerships underpinning their teaching and research.