Welcome
Welcome to your time in the country for the Rural Health Module. Whether or not you intend to
eventually work in a rural area, you will learn a great deal during this rotation that will stand you
in good stead for helping your patients in the future, as well as making your career interesting and
satisfying.
Rural practice provides a very fulfilling career, whether that is as a general practitioner or another
specialist working in the hospital or community. You will have the support of a network of health
professionals many of whom you will get to know well, enabling you to tailor your patient’s care
to suit the individual. Rural practice also allows more autonomy as well as being a great learning
experience and preparation if you plan to work overseas, especially in a developing country, at
any stage in your career.
The lifestyle in the country allows you to balance work, family, hobbies and friends – each rural
centre will have its own facilities for sport, the arts and other social and recreational pursuits. In a
rural area you are more likely to come to know your patients as people, to share their joys and to
walk with them through the difficult times. You will become a valued member of your community.
During the RHM you will have the opportunity to see for yourselves the joys and challenges of
providing health care in rural areas. You are likely to be working as part of a team and seeing the
interaction of many different aspects of life. The RHM is not designed as solely a general practice
or medical placement, but can include a wide range of experiences which impact on health
and health provision in a rural area. Your programme may include visiting hospitals, schools,
factories, vets. etc. and working with nurses, diabetic educators, teachers, ambulance drivers - all
in some way connected with health in that community. The opportunities that arise will be specific
to that community and you should consider how what you learn from each of these people
and experiences informs your ideas of what rural people need for their good heath. If medical
assistance is required, how is that best provided within the constraints of the local area and
facilities.
Even if you eventually work in an urban area, you will take away valuable lessons from this rural
term about holistic, patient centred care, the valuable role of other health professionals and the
importance of communication with everyone involved – especially the patient and their family.
After all, the reason we are here is to serve our patients and the things you learn during the Rural
Health Module will improve their care and therefore make your career very satisfying. Those of
you who eventually work in a rural area will make an excellent income, have a rewarding career
and make a real difference in the lives of your patients, their families and the community.
Enjoy your time in the country!