Discussion: Rural Workforce Shortages and Rural Entry Pathways

[Crow]

I wasn't aware of that. Thank you for clearing up the confusion cause I never understood the system before. Bit of a shame though because despite being an urban med candidate I would love to work rurally! My mum's fellowship was primarily rural and indigenous work (sadly not enough time spent to qualify me for rurality) and it really inspired me to apply for Med myself. There's such a large gap in healthcare and it's hard to describe to people who have only ever lived in urban areas.
Not sure how to address Crow as I'm a new user, but thank you for replying as well

That’s great to hear! We need people like yourself to contribute to the rural workforce. I hope you get in.

 

[Unluckydude]

If you’re spiteful to a certain group of people because systems were in place to help them, then i really don’t think medicine would be for you. This will not be the last time in your life that someone will have a leg up against you and you will just have to deal with it.

Yeah, this is just how the world is. Some people inherit a lot money from their family, some doctors/dentists inherit clinics from their parents, some students can afford full-fee places or study medicine overseas (UK, US, CANADA and etc), some people have good connections in the field due to their family and I think it's technically possible for someone to inherit a private hospital from their family even if that person is not a doctor (they just can't take medical positions such as the CMO?). I mean even Australia's head of state got that job because of who her parents are. I don't understand why people have so many issues with the rural entry pathways.

 

[JeydinNewWon]

Yeah, this is just how the world is. Some people inherit a lot money from their family, some doctors/dentists inherit clinics from their parents, some students can afford full-fee places or study medicine overseas (UK, US, CANADA and etc), some people have good connections in the field due to their family and I think it's technically possible for someone to inherit a private hospital from their family even if that person is not a doctor (they just can't take medical positions such as the CMO?). I mean even Australia's head of state got that job because of who her parents are. I don't understand why people have so many issues with the rural entry pathways.

They’re probably bitter because they don’t like the fact that someone with “lower” scores got in over them with “higher” scores thinking they’re more “deserving” of a spot. I can only do guess work but I’m sure that’s the reason since it’s the overall vibe I got from students who I know didn’t get into med.

rose4 - while this may be perceived as “unfair” or a “loophole” the system is not designed to address disadvantage. The system is designed to recruit those who are more likely to practice rurally once they’ve graduated. The evidence shows these are people who have lived rurally previously.

ETA: As per DW seconds earlier….

On that note, do you think addressing disadvantage more would be better? I always thought Rural schemes + EAS (and similar) were created to address these disadvantages to improve access to high end courses like Medicine.

I’ve read a lot on this forum that a lot of people actually do agree with improving access to Medicine to the disadvantaged. I just wonder why you’d might think that the medical schools don’t really care about it?