Extended Rural Cohort Program - School of Rural Health ...

Same curriculum, different delivery
Welcome to your community-based training year as part of your Extended Rural
Cohort (erC) experience.
A network of enthusiastic regional hospitals and general practices has joined with
the University of Melbourne to create the Northern Victoria Regional Medical
Education Network (nvrmen).
nvrmen is the partnership of rural and regional hospitals (‘hubs’) and general
practices (‘spokes’) which will be your training homes for the next 12 months.
You’ll be placed in the community setting, learning through General Practice (gp)
clinics, in regional and small rural hospitals, with visiting specialists and through
allied health services.
Students will learn from experienced, professional teachers in all settings. The
gp supervisors have been selected because of their educational interest and
experience, particularly in GP training. Hub educators have been appointed to
oversee the learning at each Hub. Hub education brings in a range of talent,
including specialists, GPs, and allied health and professional staff. GP registrars
also offer peer support in learning.
The day-to-day clinical curriculum is based upon ‘who walks in, or is, wheeled in
the door.’ Many studies have shown the powerful nature of this ‘real-life’ learning
opportunity, for both academic results, and attachment to future rural practice.
Examinations are the same as in traditional block rotation, and ERC students will
also complete mock exams at the end of Semester 10. Students will log their
tasks throughout the year in “U-Prime” a purpose built on-line education platform.
Students will spend 2 semesters in the one setting. where you will be supported
in the community by a range of mentors, academic and non-medical.
The ERC program works collaboratively with peer organisations including Bogong
gp training, the Department of Health Victoria and Monash University. Program
evaluation is continually sought and student feedback is valued in future planning.
Welcome to the ERC and enjoy the experience.
Dr Peter Keppel,
Director, Northern Victoria Rural Medical Education Network (nvrmen)
2 www.unimelb.edu.au