University of Tasmania, Australia

As part of the Rural Communities Program from 30th April - 4th May 2012, 37 second-year UTAS medical students from Hobart were placed into a number of communities along the North West & West Coast- including; West Coast, Circular Head, Waratah/Wynyard, Central Coast, Latrobe & Kentish municipalities.  This program aims to give medical students practical insights into rural communities and the work and health of the people who live there and how this affects their lives.

Students explored local networks of health care and looked at possible solutions for sustainable health and medical practice.  They met with a range of local health service providers and talked with local people during the week and this was concluded with a joint presentation to the people in the community they have contact with to present their findings.

Communities felt the week had been most worthwhile - students said they would like to come back for more placements in their towns and some would now consider future practice in rural Tasmania.