RCS Clinical Training Placements (MBBS Y3 and Y4)

The RCS provides unique clinical training opportunities to University of Queensland medical students by enabling students to live and work for at least the duration of an academic year in regional Queensland.

Bundaberg - Hervey Bay - Rockhampton - Toowoomba

The RCS has a mandate to provide opportunities for 25% of University of Queensland medical students to undertake at least 50% of their clinical training at an RCS teaching site. The Core Clinical Rotations undertaken in the third and fourth years of the MBBS Program comprise the clinical training component of the MBBS Program.

The RCS is committed to delivering an exceptional clinical training experience to students where the focus is on:

• Optimal student/clinician ratios – a maximum of 6 students in most rotation groups
• Early patient access – from presentation to discharge
• Hands on procedural experience – 4th year students assist in surgery
• Multi Professional Learning – students become a valuable member of the health care team

Organisation and Student Allocation

Students are encouraged to select the Rural Clinical School for the clinical training years (MBBS Y3 and/or MBBS Y4). Students nominate their Clinical School preferences through an on line registration system that is administered by the School of Medicine.

The following places are available in 2009:

Students interested in undertaking a second year with the Rural Clinical School should consider the following:

1. Students in family groups will be given preference for the available places. The premise being that students who relocate their family with the plan to live and work at a rural site for at least the duration of their third and fourth years will experience a greater level of inconvenience where that plan cannot be executed.
2. The RCS reserves the right to determine the type and nature of accommodation (or financial subsidy) provided to continuing students.

Rural Medicine Rotation

The Rural Medicine Rotation (RMR) is the key teaching program for the Discipline of Rural and Remote Medicine. This is a core clinical rotation and must be satisfactorily completed by all MBBS Y3 students prior to being permitted to progress to the fourth and final year of the MBBS Program.

The Rotation comprises a six-week placement undertaken at one or more rural placement sites using a combination of hospital, general practice and community-based activities. The placement is preceded by a one-week preparatory program (Orientation Week) and concludes with a one-week consolidation program (Debriefing Week).

Elective Placements (MBBS Y1)

The RCS provides elective placement opportunities to MBBS Y1 students.

Currently placements are available in Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Hervey Bay and Toowoomba for the duration of the 4 week elective that takes place at the end of the academic year. Students are provided the opportunity to experience living and learning at an RCS teaching location.

“I loved my elective placement with the RCS…There was lots of variety and opportunities for hands-on experience – suturing, vaccinations, wound dressing, history taking, physical examinations...I felt welcome everywhere…Plenty of time and opportunities to explore the town and all it has to offer.”

The focus is on exposing students to the distinctive learning opportunities available through the Rural Clinical School. Students receive a taste of what it’s like to do “real medicine” where the emphasis is on clinical and procedural skills.

Interested students may contact the Coordinator in Bundaberg, Toowoomba, Hervey Bay or Rockhampton.