A Curtin University student has had an inspirational experience as one of the first to take part in a new clinical placement program in Mount Magnet and Geraldton.<\/p>\n
Physiotherapy student Georgia Palchak of Wembley Downs spent five weeks working with community health agencies in the remote Murchison towns as part of Curtin\u2019s landmark interprofessional education (IPE) curriculum.<\/p>\n
She said working with agencies such as the Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service and the WA Country Health Service was fantastic.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a great opportunity to work in Aboriginal healthcare to learn about Aboriginal culture and cultural security,\u201d Miss Palchak said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI highly recommend this placement to other students. It gave me the opportunity to participate in a wide range of physio-related activities and community programs that I would not have the chance to participate in on a more traditional placement.\u201d<\/p>\n
She was particularly impressed by the openness and friendliness of the community, becoming involved in the local football academy and even the after-school care program.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone in both Geraldton and Mount Magnet was so warm, welcoming, helpful and supportive,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The Geraldton\/Mount Magnet placement is part of Curtin\u2019s innovative Interprofessional Practice Program, which places students across a range of allied health disciplines in a variety of community settings where they can learn with, from and about each other.<\/p>\n
The result is graduates who are better able to work holistically to meet the needs of the community.<\/p>\n
The Combined Universities Centre for Rural Health, which provided the staff supervision and student accommodation, coordinates the program in collaboration with Curtin.<\/p>\n
Curtin\u2019s IPE fieldwork coordinator Keryn Bolte said the recently launched program would see students from a range of undergraduate degrees, including dietetics, public health and physiotherapy, working together.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe support we have had for the program from the Geraldton and Mount Magnet has been overwhelming,\u201d Ms Bolte said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot only the health services but community services, such as the Shire of Mount Magnet Council, local police and schools, are enthusiastic about the students coming so they can share their experiences with them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Contact:<\/strong><\/p>\n Keryn Bolte, IPE fieldwork coordinator, Curtin University
\n<\/strong>Tel: 618 9266 9132; Email: keryn.bolte@curtin.edu.au<\/a><\/p>\n