Key features
For industry and community:
- provides a solution to the rural medical workforce shortage
- reforms the way country-raised medical students are trained
- creates better long-term health outcomes for regional, rural and remote communities
- part of the Federal Government's Stronger Rural Health Strategy.
For students:
- complete a three-year undergraduate Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Medical) course at La Trobe’s Bendigo or Albury-Wodonga campus
- gain guaranteed entry into the University of Melbourne’s Doctor of Medicine postgraduate program in Shepparton. *
- pathway co-designed by La Trobe and the University of Melbourne.
Our approach
The pathway creates opportunities for students with rural backgrounds who are interested in practicing medicine in rural and regional areas. It flips the current city-centric medical training model by delivering most of the training in the regions, with rotation to metropolitan areas for specialist immersions kept to a minimum.
The pathway is structured to expose students to learning environments that highlight key aspects of interprofessional practice. Students gain an understanding of the broader allied health professions which is critical for working effectively as part of the regional health workforce. For example, study is done alongside pharmacy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nursing and other allied health students. The medical pathway program sits alongside a high quality, well-developed allied health training package as part of our extensive rural health school and newest University Department of Rural Health (UDRH).
The selection process targets applicants with rural backgrounds who are seeking a career in the rural health workforce. The first cohort of 15 students from central and northern Victoria, Mildura and southern New South Wales enrolled in 2019. All students are performing above the required standard to guarantee entry into the Doctor of Medicine (Rural Pathway) from 2022.
Outcomes
In May 2018, the Federal Government announced the creation of the end-to-end rural medical program, investing $74 million in the Murray-Darling Medical Schools Network – of which $7 million was allocated to La Trobe to support the new medical pathway.
Student testimonials
I want to make a difference to the doctor shortage across rural and remote Australia, enabling all Australians access to the healthcare and resources that they deserve. The variability within the job from day to day and the opportunity to work in close-knit communities are both reasons that rural practise appeals to me; I would love to know all my patients and colleagues well. I ultimately aim to become a rural generalist and practice in remote areas of Australia or to work with the Royal Flying Doctor’s Service.
I'm enjoying the atmosphere of the course and enjoying learning about the human body and working in the health sector.
I'm surrounded by a positive community of students within the same degree and other disciples of health who share the same passion for health, and it excites me that some of these people might be my colleagues in the future.
