TROHPIQ

The TROHPIQ Cherbourg Trip held on the 19-20^th May went off with much enjoyment from the community and the students. Starting bright and early on Saturday with our awesome bus driver Allan, we headed straight to the Murgon footy grounds to run some health promotion activities with the local kids. The Cherbourg Community Health van came along to support. The kids were drawn by the face painting, plastering and free fruit and we showed off stethoscopes and the famous Gutsy Gus (anatomy model). Hearing their own heart sounds for the first time brought much glee to the kids’ faces. After a few hours in the hot sun, we broke for lunch and then headed into Cherbourg to visit the Ration Shed, a volunteer initiative established to share some of Cherbourg’s history and culture. Guided through the collections of photos and artwork, we heard many stories about the establishment of Cherbourg as a collective of tribes, and the progression forward, from past challenges of government oppression. The volunteers shared unique stories of their own health, highlighting some of the most significant challenges faced today. The day provided valuable experience for the students, gaining some insight into Indigenous health, culture and history.

We then headed out of town to Fick’s Crossing Camp, a beautiful bush spot by the creek, and accommodation for the night. The campfire was soon roaring, banishing any threatening cold air, while tummies were filled with BBQ dinner.

Sunday was a slow start, with some taking longer than others to rise from their well-deserved slumbers. Breakfast was bacon and eggs on the hot plate over the fireplace. Packing up and leaving Ficks Crossing, the next stop was Cherbourg Hospital. It was great to see the facilities and meet the staff. We learnt about the flexibility and compromise needed regarding provision of services, and to ensure the hospital was seen positively by the community so services are accessed to their fullest. A short time was spent rotating through skills workshops; suturing and plastering. Early afternoon now, it was time to hit the road and say farewell to the community. The students stopped at Kingaroy for lunch then Nanango for the famous peanut-man.

Many thanks to Kate Hawke and John O’Brian for their help, and to Sunmi Yang for her photos.

For the may 12^th weekend students from Rural Health Clubs across Queensland gathered in Stanthorpe to get a taste of the rural life and mingle in style. Many thanks go to Dr. Dan Halliday, Dr. Patricia Stewart and the many other enthusiastic and experienced health professionals who shared their expertise over the course of the weekend.

Highlights Included:

• Trade fair and welcome dinner held
• Cowboy/girl themed dinner at the Aussie Steak House
• Leisurely lunch and  game of bowls at the Summer Bowls Club
• A tour of the local wineries led by our animated tour guide
• Sheep shearing display by some of the locals
• Relaxing bush walk to the Granite Arch at Giraween National Park
• Yummy berry icecreams at Jamworks
• Amazing skills sessions focusing on the rural aspects of Obstetrics, Physiotherapy, Anaesthetics and Airways, Suturing, Plastering, Palliative Care and Paramedics.

An extra special thank you goes to Deb Kay of Health Workforce Queensland who worked with club representatives to make JRHCW 2012 a shining success!!

JRHCW brought to students with sponsorship from:

It’s the moment you have all been waiting for, the conference for rural medicine in Australia. It’s the National University Rural Health Conference 2012 and it only happens once every 2 years. Get stoked! Applications open today and close on May 23rd!!!!

The National University Rural Health Conference (NURHC) will be held on the 10th-11th August at Novotel Forest Hill Resort in picturesque Creswick, Victoria. Up to date information about all the festivities and more can be found at www.nrhsn.org.au/nurhc

To Apply simply fill out this NURHC Application 2012 and get it back to NURHC@trohpiq.org by 11:59pm on May 23rd!

Good Luck

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Over the past two weekends, TROHPIQ members were invited to a couple of extremely informative networking events.

The first of these was the QRME Toowoomba Gala, which featured an afternoon of skills sessions, followed by a panel discussion explaining the benefits of the Rural Longlook Program and the Extended Placement Program. Students were given the chance to network with doctors all across the career pathway at Toowoomba Downs Club as the evening kicked on. After a night of dancing, door prizes, and delicious canapes, the UQ students retired to our host accommodations provided by the generous RCS students. Before returning to Brisbane, the students took in the beautiful views from the summit of Table Top Mountain.

Our second event was hosted this past weekend by ACRRM through the Bonded Support Program (BSP). This event was targeted towards those students who have taken bonded places to study medicine at UQ. Guest speaker, Dr. James Hudson, provided plenty of encouragement, speaking from his breadth of experience in rural medicine both in Australia and abroad. Students were treated to a spectacular 3-course dinner at the Regatta Hotel, whilst mingling with their peers and the various clinicians who were gathered for the evening.

These networking events are a great resource for students who are considering their options for the clinical years and beyond. Rarely do other students get the opportunities to ask questions and receive honest answers from the clinicians who play a role in shaping our curriculum. Not only that, but several of these organizations play a role in  post-graduate training as well. Developing ties early on in your medical studies, pays dividends down the track.