In keeping with Griffith University’s interdisciplinary approach to healthcare education and commitment to rural health, 29 students from across the Health Group recently enjoyed a weekend in Toowoomba.
The Interdisciplinary Rural Health Trip was in celebration of the 21st birthday of the National Rural Health Students Network (NRHSN), says Aaron Heffernan, co-convenor of the Hope4Health Rural Health Portfolio.
“Participants included students of medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, speech therapy, dietetics and occupational therapy,” adds the second year medical student.
“It was a great opportunity to learn from rural practitioners and academics about the career prospects, rewards and challenges associated with working in a rural area.”
The Toowoomba trip helped foster the culture of inter-professional collaboration vital to the delivery of quality healthcare, particularly in areas with limited access to key resources often taken for granted in urban areas.
The diversity of future health professionals and their enthusiasm for sharing the skills and perspectives of their chosen fields made the trip an invaluable experience for all who attended, says Aaron.
“We spent a lot of time learning from and getting to know people who we don’t normally see on campus,” he explains.
“Everyone came away from the weekend with a greater understanding and appreciation of what the different health professions bring to the team for quality patient care.”
