Dr Brad Hodge, Project Coordinator of the Rural Health Innovation Lab, said the Healthy Ky Community Placement Project aims to bridge healthcare gaps in the local community while providing practical experience for students.
"The primary goal is to effectively communicate health information to residents of rural communities, fostering awareness, engagement and participation in a range of preventive healthcare practices."
As part of the partnership, La Trobe Rural Health students will spend three weeks on placement alternating between health promotion, hospital placement and other placements in the Kyabram community.
“The placement allows students to engage with real-world health challenges and fosters a deeper understanding of rural health issues, all while assisting community partners in promoting healthier lifestyles and reducing healthcare disparities.”
Dr Hodge says the partnership and placement model is designed to address healthcare disparities in rural areas, ensuring both students and communities benefit from the experience.
“Together, we have co-designed a student placement experience that not only equips students with essential hands-on skills but also allows them to immerse themselves in the rural health setting, directly contributing to improved health outcomes through assessments, health promotion, and education activities within the Kyabram community.”
Jen Savage, CEO of Kyabram Community and Learning Centre said the partnership is directly impacting the health and wellbeing of the community in ways that matter.
“By having students immerse themselves in Kyabram, they're not just learning, they're actively helping to address some of our local health issues, providing practical support to residents, and promoting healthier lifestyles.”
“We're excited about the potential of this collaboration to strengthen connections between our community and important health initiatives. We look forward to seeing the positive outcomes in the coming months and repeating them for many years to come.”
“Hopefully this is just the start of a long exciting mutually beneficial initiative where everyone benefits.”
