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Title
Developing the future Indigenous health workforce: The feasibility and impact of a student-led placement programme in remote Indigenous communities.
Date Issued
2016-10
Author(s)
Warren, Johanna M
Irish, Georgina L
Purbrick, Brydie
Li, Joule J
Li, Xi
Fitzpatrick, Danielle J
Faull, Randall J
Abstract
To describe and evaluate a programme where medical students designed and implemented Indigenous health placements for students with an interest in rural/Indigenous health. In 2011, a student-led programme at the University of Adelaide was set up to give medical students the opportunity to undertake outreach trips and clinical placements in remote Indigenous communities. Twenty-four medical students attended trips to remote communities between 2012 and 2014. Here we evaluate our programme using a single-arm experimental design. Responses to questionnaire items before and after attending an outreach placement, scored on 6-point Likert scales. Following their remote Indigenous health placement, participants expressed a significantly higher mean likelihood of working in an Indigenous community in the future (3.17 (2.69-3.64) versus 4.00 (3.65-4.35); P < 0.007). Furthermore, after their placement participants felt better prepared to work in Indigenous communities (mean 1.79 (1.44-2.14) versus 3.21 (2.88-3.54); P < 0.001). A placement programme initiated and run by medical students can provide meaningful exposure to Indigenous health. Implementation of this student-led model in other medical schools may encourage nationwide development of the Indigenous health workforce.
Publication information
The Australian journal of rural health 2016-10; 24(5): 306-311
Type
Journal Article
Journal Title
The Australian journal of rural health
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