Sixteen second-year Monash medical students recently spent a week in Warragul as part of the Monash Rural Health second year rural education program.
The program provides students with an opportunity to learn about the unique nature of living and delivering healthcare in rural communities.
As part of the one-week placement, students in Warragul shadowed health professionals at West Gippsland Healthcare Group, learnt a range of basic clinical skills, such as suturing from final-year medical students, and took part in community activities, such as running Teddy Bear Hospitals at Nilma Primary School and St Paul's Anglican Grammar School.
Monash Rural Health education manager Laura Major said the program played an important role in encouraging medical students to consider future rural placements or careers.
"We consistently see the positive impact that the year two rural health education program continues to have, on both participating students and in our rural communities.
"Some students have never stepped foot outside a major city until they take part in this program, so when it influences their choices of further rural placements and professional career choices, the benefits to our local rural communities are seen in years to come," she said.