#jcu mbbs

[medicalschoolinaustralia]

Medical school student explains what to expect in Year 1

You’re headed to medical school. Want some insider tips?

Year 1 JCU MBBS student Maximilian was kind enough to to participate in a webinar with us recently, and he shared his insights about what it’s like to be a medical student at James Cook University in sunny Queensland.

Here’s a peek at what he covered:

All about JCU & the MBBS: Everything from what profs are like to outlining your Year 1 schedule.

Living in Queensland: Finding housing, the vibe in Australia, and where to get some good grub.

Stories: About bugs, eating Vegemite, and his thoughts about hanging laundry.

Q&A time!

Learn more about studying medicine in Australia!

[oztrekk]

Study at James Cook University in the Tropics

Here are 6 key facts about James Cook University you might not know about!

JCU is in a Tropical Paradise North Queensland offers a unique combination of a stunning climate, pollution-free environment, multicultural population, and a significantly lower cost of living than Australian metropolitan. Explore your academic passions in these wonderful outdoor classrooms!

One of the world’s leading institutions focusing on the tropics, James Cook University is surrounded by the spectacular ecosystems of the rainforests of the wet tropics, the dry savannahs, and the iconic Great Barrier Reef. JCU’s unique location enables students to study in a diverse physical environment unparalleled by any university in the world.

Canadian students at JCU love the fact that they can study exceptional professional degrees in a beautiful, natural environment. JCU programs are hands-on and academics work closely with industry leaders to ensure degrees prepare you for “real world” careers, especially those focused on rural and remote health.

JCU is Proud of its Diverse Community When you study at JCU, you’ll be part of a big, friendly family of more than 16,000 students from 111 countries. Join the excitement of campus life by diving into JCU’s incredible student clubs and savoring unforgettable events.

Canadians Love Studying at JCU Every year, we see hundreds of Canadians apply to the unique and exceptional programs at JCU. Some of the most popular (with amazing tropical and rural health experiences) include JCU’s MBBS and BDS, and since these degrees are undergraduate entry, they’re also a great option for those seeking to begin a professional degree straight from high school!

Continue reading Study at James Cook University in the Tropics

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JCU medicine and dentistry webinar Aug. 23

OzTREKK’s Medicine Admissions Officer Amanda Rollich has just been to James Cook University, and she can’t wait to share her experiences with everyone interested in learning more about studying medicine or dentistry at Australia’s Tropical University!

We’ll also have some current students available for a Q&A session, too.

Feel free to participate—bring your questions!

What can you expect to learn?

All about the JCU MBBS and BDS programs, from the perspective of current students

What it’s like to live in Townsville and Cairns, Queensland (and Australia in general)

Some exciting aspects of the facilities

Answers to all your questions—plus Amanda’s own tips and funny stories!

Date: Friday, August 23, 2019 Time: TO BE CONFIRMED. Between 6 and 8 p.m. EDT. Register now!

Questions? Please email Amanda at medicine@oztrekk.com or Alexa at dentistry@oztrekk.com.

[educationinaustralia-blog]

Top Universities in Australia to Study Medicine

Studying medicine can be an exciting and life-changing experience. Thousands of Singaporeans say goodbye to their families and friends every year to study medicine at top-ranked Australian universities. Australia is home to many schools offering many different courses in the field of medicine.

Here are some Top universities in Australia which can help you build a dream career in medicine:

University of Sydney

The Sydney Medical School offers a 7-year MD double degree program, where international students can choose combined disciplines such as Commerce, Science, Economics, Music and Medical Science. The graduate MD course provides you with extensive clinical knowledge along with research skills training.

Monash University

The Monash University Medical School offers a 4-year MBBS degree with an interdisciplinary program within biomedical sciences. The course emphasises clinical interaction, with exposure to the clinical environment and case studies.

Deakin University

Known for being one of Australia’s top-rated universities, Deakin University is a leading educator with excellent facilities committed to practical learning. The university offers a 4-year MBBS degree program combining clinical experiences and rural health training.

Flinders University

The Flinders Medical School launched a four year MD graduate degree program breaking away from the typical 5-6 year degree. They are driven by innovation and committed to capturing new ideas in the medical research area. Students are trained in the clinical field using well-equipped simulation labs and patients.

Tasmania University

The university offers a five-year degree. You have the option to complete your last two years at a clinical school. The medical school also offers many undergraduate and postgraduate programs in biomedical sciences and medical research.

University of Adelaide

One of Australia’s oldest institutions, University of Adelaide offers various graduate degrees including Bachelor of Health Sciences, with an emphasis on a broad study of human health, and a six-year MBBS course.

James Cook University

JCU Medical School is known as Australia’s leading tropical research institution, with many campuses across Australia. The School of Medicine and Dentistry is the only college in north Australia which offers a full medical course. It offers a post-graduate Certificate of Research Methods and an undergraduate MBBS degree with a focus on tropical medicine.

So these are some of the best Australian universities offering courses in Medicine. To know more about your International studies, visa process, accommodation, top university and courses etc., you can speak to an expert education consultant at AECC Global.

AECC Global is a leader in the field of overseas education consultancy.  

[medicalschoolinaustralia]

JCU Medical School Offers Medical Degree at Cairns Campus

James Cook University’s medical program has begun in Cairns, with 39 new students able for the first time to complete all of their medical training in Cairns.

JCU Vice Chancellor Professor Simon Biggs said before 2023, the first three years of the six-year degree had to be completed outside of Cairns.

“JCU launched Australia’s first regionally based medical program in 2000 that saw students complete the foundation years of the degree in Townsville, before having the option to move to Cairns or Mackay for their final years of study.

“The expansion to include the full program in Cairns is an important step forward in making medical education available locally, producing a medical workforce for regional, rural and remote communities.”

JCU College of Medicine and Dentistry Dean, Professor Richard Murray said the new program provides access to medical training for students from a diverse range of backgrounds and regions, including applicants who may have previously considered pursuing a medical career unattainable.

[oztrekk]

JCU Medical School Offers Medical Degree at Cairns Campus

James Cook University’s medical program has begun in Cairns, with 39 new students able for the first time to complete all of their medical training in Cairns.

JCU College of Medicine and Dentistry Dean, Professor Richard Murray said the new program provides access to medical training for students from a diverse range of backgrounds and regions, including Canada!

Learn more about JCU medicine.

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Canadian student talks about studying medicine in Australia

What’s it like to be a Canadian studying medicine in Australia? Meet med student, Jayson, who began his journey to medical school straight from high school!

Why did you choose to study at JCU Townsville? My mum is a nurse, so I have been exposed to the health sector my whole life. My parents never told me to go into medicine, but I am grateful for the opportunity. I just want to help people, and medicine was the best way for me to do that.Jayson looks forward to completing his MBBS at JCU (Photo credit: JCU)

I didn’t know anybody when I first came to study at James Cook University. I had friends who recommended studying in Australia, but none of them lived in Townsville.

I was excited by the idea of the experience of starting to study medicine from the beginning of my degree. Back in Canada, you have to do four years of an undergraduate degree and then go into medicine and your specializations. At JCU, you go straight into learning medicine from your first semester, and on top of that, you get to go on placements and get firsthand experience, so I thought it would be a great opportunity.

What has been the highlight of your time at JCU? Aside from the content of the course, the people have been amazing, and Townsville overall has been a really welcoming city. It’s a big difference from Toronto, because of the different climates, but I am slowly adjusting to the weather.

Personally, the whole experience is giving me time to change and figure out who I am. After graduating high school last year and then coming straight to live and study in Australia, I have had to figure everything out for myself. I’ve made a bunch of friends and enjoy living so close to campus.

What are your career aspirations? I don’t know specifically where I want to work, but I do want to go into surgery because the clinical skills really interest me. Endocrinology has been my favourite subject so far, and I joined the JCU Surgical Society, which has been a great way to meet new people and learn about different career paths. At this stage, I don’t know which surgical specialty I want to focus on, but hopefully I have six years to figure it out.

What is your advice for prospective international students? You have to be confident and can’t be too timid because you are coming to a new place, especially when you come by yourself like I did. I had to figure everything out myself, like getting a credit card and phone. Growing up, I was really introverted, and then when I came here and I was trying to figure things out, I had to talk more. For any international students who want to come here, you need to learn to live on your own, which I think is a great learning experience.

Originally posted by James Cook University – International Student Stories.

Interested in studying medicine straight from high school? Read Jilsi’s and Nadia’s story!

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Comparing Canadian and Australian rural healthcare: A JCU Medicine experience

What sets JCU Medicine apart from other medical schools?

James Cook University is set in idyllic Northern Queensland, but it is far more than beautiful beaches!

Home to the 6-year Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program, JCU is one of the world’s leading institutions focusing on rural and remote medicine in the tropics.

For Canadian students studying at JCU, the parallels between rural and remote healthcare in Australia and Canada become increasingly noticeable throughout the program as they gain clinical experience and knowledge relating to meeting the medical needs of rural and tropical populations.

Known for its close ties with Canada and the US, the Lynn Kratcha Memorial Bursary exemplifies the type of opportunities that are available for JCU medical students to experience rural and remote healthcare in various settings. This bursary is awarded annually to a small group of second-year medicine students who wish to take on an international placement in Canada or the US.

Emily Johnston and Supreet Sandhu were the lucky recipients of the bursary in 2019, prior to COVID-19 limiting international travel. They went on a four-week placement in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Below, Emily has reflected on the unforgettable experience in the “land of the living skies.”

Community Engagement Saskatoon was our base city, home to The University of Saskatchewan with a population of approximately 273,000, just over that of Townsville. Here, we made contact with very like-minded medical students with similar aspirations and focuses on rural, remote, and Indigenous medicine to the students at James Cook University.

Largely focused on community engagement, the placement exposed us to entirely different cultures and areas of medicine from what we had seen before, broadening our perspectives and knowledge of medicine and healthcare. Additionally, we were intrigued to discover that the major health concerns and prevalent chronic diseases in Canada are very similar to what we are experiencing in Australia.

Reminiscing on our placement, I cannot believe how much we packed into four weeks. We literally ensured each day was full of more activities than the day before. I think we both slept for at least a week once we were home, but in no way do we regret turning every waking moment of our adventure into different experiences and stories.

Understanding history and culture Travelling to many medical clinics on Indigenous Reserves, a large focus of our placement was to develop an understanding of the history of the Indigenous Canadian people. We were privy to work alongside some very knowledgeable practitioners and Indigenous people who educated us on the cultural teachings of Saskatchewan’s First Nations and Métis population. From our experiences, it was evident that the emotional, spiritual, and physical trauma of the events that occurred during the colonization of Canada is still very real today. It continues to provide significant barriers and inequalities towards the delivery of healthcare.

We were able to experience some incredible rural communities, Indigenous Reserves and countryside. In each small rural community, there was something special about the close connectedness, sense of belonging and welcoming nature of the people. This was reflected through the highly dynamic and collaborative hospital and health centres we undertook clinical placement and cultural activities in. The delivery of rural family medicine was something truly exceptional

I was privileged with the opportunity to travel on a small Cessna 185 plane to the Indigenous Reserve, Patuanak. Observing the land from above, I was mesmerized by its pristine quality and beauty. Watching the wildlife below emerge in and out of snow laden habitats whilst the pilot gave explanations as to what I was overseeing, I felt as though I was in the midst of the filming of one of David Attenborough’s wildlife documentaries. The realization that I was flying some hundred meters above frozen lakes, towards an Indigenous rural community that would otherwise not have the opportunity to see a doctor, provided me with a newfound level of passion and love for rural medicine. It was something I would never have had the chance to experience anywhere else.

True patient-centred care Southeast of Saskatoon, about 330 km away, was a small village named Fort Qu’Appelle, which means “who calls?” It’s a stunning valley that holds a rich and vibrant history. Here, the All Nations Healing Hospital provided us with insight into the true integration of western and Indigenous medicine. The incorporation of traditional Indigenous natural medicines for patients undergoing renal dialysis, explained to us by a First Nations elder, demonstrated successful fusion of the two forms of medicine. I learned that to many people, health is so much more than having a perfect hospital chart. Spirituality, family and community are most often of the highest concern. This teaching I will remember when working in Australia where numerous parallels run between the two nations’ Indigenous populations.

The First Nations people say “miyo maskihkiy,” meaning “to practice good medicine.” I truly believe I witnessed the essence of patient-centred care and “good medicine” whilst in Saskatchewan. It showed me how important it is to find an area of medicine which inspires and excites you in order to practice good medicine, miyo maskihkiy.

*

Emily’s reflections are an incredible indication of the impact that this bursary, and this experience, can have on medicine students at JCU. The many connections and parallels that exist between Canadian and Australian healthcare are representative of our shared values, and the similar traumas of our history; issues that both countries are engaged in addressing and learning from.

[medicalschoolinaustralia]

OzTREKK Ambassadors: Is living on campus for you?

OzTREKK Student Ambassador: Alex Maznic University: James Cook University Program: Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery Follow Alex on Instagram: @alexandramaznic

Living on Campus: Is it for you?

Hi! My name is Alex, and I’m in my first year of medical school at James Cook University in Townsville Australia. I am 19 going on 20 and have never lived on campus. My sister hadn’t either as she stayed close to home. So, here I was a few months ago making the decision to move into an unknown building notorious for providing you with best years of your life.

But how true is that? Honestly? I’m not sure, but I promise to give you the truth about my experience on what moving to campus is like.

Move-in Day

My situation is a little different. I have no nervous parents helping me carry my laundry basket up the stairs and no tears were shed as they left their youngest behind to start their year of studies. Instead, I volunteered my friends to carry my heavy suitcase up the stairs and they all said, “see you at dinner.”

I unpacked everything on my first day. There was just something about organizing the space to make it my own that was relaxing. I was able to set things up and even get my coffee machine running (fancy right?). Overall, I was ready. As I laid my head down to sleep in my new home, I found myself thinking, what will this year entail, who will I meet, and how will I balance all the expectations?

Orientation Week

I started my college experience with O-week. By “college” I mean res—that’s what they call student residences here. It had all kinds of events and activities like a university bar toga, a “bucks and hens” party, and sponsor night. It’s a great opportunity to go out with friends and meet new people as well. I met a bunch of new people staying in college and got to reconnect with friends I hadn’t see over the holidays. Overall it was great to see everyone again and hear all about their breaks and how excited they were to start the year.

Three Weeks Into Living on Campus

So here I am, a few weeks into living on college and honestly, it’s not like the movies, but not in a bad way. There is a sense of community among everyone who’s moved away from home and everyone understands what it feels like to be alone in a new city. You get to know your neighbours and build relationships with people outside of your degree and cohort.

Is the on-campus life for everyone? No, of course not. But is it worth trying? Definitely. You get the chance to live that once in a lifetime experience of being a “college kid.” Move away from home, meet new people, and all in all, you do something out of your comfort zone and try something new.

I might change my mind in a few months from now, so please, hold me accountable?

Until then!

Alex

[medicalschoolinaustralia]

JCU medicine and dentistry webinar Aug. 23

OzTREKK’s Medicine Admissions Officer Amanda Rollich has just been to James Cook University, and she can’t wait to share her experiences with everyone interested in learning more about studying medicine or dentistry at Australia’s Tropical University!

We’ll also have some current students available for a Q&A session, too.

Feel free to participate—bring your questions!

What can you expect to learn?

All about the JCU MBBS and BDS programs, from the perspective of current students

What it’s like to live in Townsville and Cairns, Queensland (and Australia in general)

Some exciting aspects of the facilities

Answers to all your questions—plus Amanda’s own tips and funny stories!

Date: Friday, August 23, 2019 Time: TO BE CONFIRMED. Between 6 and 8 p.m. EDT. Register now!

Questions? Please email Amanda at medicine@oztrekk.com or Alexa at dentistry@oztrekk.com.

[medicalschoolinaustralia]

Focusing on rural and remote health at James Cook University

Known for its focus on rural and remote health, James Cook University (JCU)  is the perfect spot for students looking to expand their horizons and make a difference.

The JCU medical program recognizes the gap in healthcare between cities and rural regions, with a focus on training a fit-for-purpose health workforce ready to ensure that remote communities have access to high-quality healthcare.

With clinical experience starting after just 12 weeks into the program, and twice as many clinical hours as other Australian medical schools, it’s easy to see why JCU graduates are some of the most work ready medical professionals in Australia.

Students gain extensive clinical experience across northern Queensland and the Northern Territory, with a particular program emphasis on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This community oriented practical approach gives students the chance to gain firsthand skills and knowledge in tropical medicine, medical care in rural hospitals and community settings, distance and remote delivery of medicine, and more.

Of course, doctors aren’t alone in providing healthcare, so every other week, students from JCU’s various healthcare programs, like nursing, speech pathology, occupational therapy, or physiotherapy, come together for interdisciplinary learning. It’s a chance for students to learn about how all healthcare professionals can work together to bridge the gap for underserved communities.

Of course, it’s not all work! While not in class or clinicals, many students love to get to know their communities. They hang out with the locals, partake in community events, and build relationships to last a lifetime.

Study medicine at James Cook University

JCU medical school combines integrated instruction in biomedical sciences, professional practice and clinical medicine, and incorporates the best aspects of student-centred, problem-based learning combined with systematic instruction.

The Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree at JCU produces graduates who will be uniquely qualified in the fields of rural, remote and Indigenous health, and tropical medicine.

As a JCU medical student, you will attend clinical placements in sites other than Townsville in each year of the program. More than half the students in Years 4, 5, and 6 are expected to relocate to other clinical teaching sites such as Cairns, Darwin and Mackay—which underpins JCU’s focus on tropical and remote medicine.

Program: Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) Location: Townsville, Queensland Next available intake: February 2022 Duration: 6 years Application deadline: August 30, 2021

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Why should Canadians consider studying at JCU Medical School in Australia?

Should you consider studying at JCU Medical School in Australia?

There are many reasons that encourage people to study medicine. Among the most popular include the desire to help others. Sometimes that wish goes beyond the standard “I want to make a difference in my community” to “I want to make a difference in the world."

So what makes JCU stand out from other Australian universities? And how on earth can we compare Australia’s and Canada’s health care needs?

James Cook University may not be the largest university, or the most well-known, but JCU has something the others don’t: their riveted focus on Aboriginal health, rural medicine, public health, tropical medicine, and the needs of under-served populations.

JCU was established as Australia’s “university for the tropics,” and is therefore focused programs that are particularly relevant to the tropical world. In the medicine, health, molecular science part of the university, they’ve particularly targeted issues relating to under-served populations, especially rural, remote, indigenous and tropical peoples.

But wait, tropical peoples? How can that relate to Canada? When speaking about Canada, most people think frigid winters, not tropics.

But the connection between Australia and Canada is stronger than you may think.

In fact, in 2013, JCU Medical School Dean and Head of School Richard Murray travelled to Canada as a member of an Australian government delegation at a Canadian-Australian roundtable on recognition of professional credentials between the two countries.

Dean Murray made a case for why Canada and Australia should collaborate our shared interest in health care innovation to meet the needs of our geographically dispersed populations. Prof Murray said that the opportunities this creates for Australian and Canadian practitioners to gain experience in each other’s countries could only benefit the quality and depth of rural medical services.

“In medicine for rural areas, there are opportunities for movement and exchange for students, doctors in training as well as specialists in rural general practice and other generalist specialties. Innovation in areas such as telemedicine and socially accountable health professional education are shared interests,” Prof Murray wrote in an article he published in the JCU Medical School’s journal, A Taste of our own Medicine.

There are many countries in a similar position to Australia, including Canada. Like Australia, our population is concentrated on the fringes of the country, where the climate is most ideal and the land most usable. But where people live in rural and Northern Canada, away from the general population, finding health care can be more challenging—just like the people in remote and tropical locations of Australia.

So, if you’re passionate about changing the world, particularly the lives of those who live in rural or remote areas, JCU wants to talk to you!

About the JCU Medical Program

The 6-year JCU MBBS degree is a comprehensive program with integrated instruction in biomedical sciences, professional practice, and clinical medicine. JCU’s medicine students receive extensive training with more than 4,000 hours of clinical practice, and graduates will be uniquely qualified in the fields of rural, remote, and tropical medicine.

Program: Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery Location: Townsville, Queensland Semester intake: February Duration: 6 years

[medicalschoolinaustralia]

OzTREKK Ambassadors: A letter to my past, pre-Australia self

Hi everyone! My name’s Alex, and I’m in medical school at James Cook University in Townsville Australia.

I think everyone can agree that the moving to Australia is a big undertaking. Throw in a global pandemic and you’ll absolutely have a different outlook on things after a while.

So, I want to reflect on what I have learned through all of this and what I wish I would have known before I started this adventure.

Dear past Alex,

I’m talking specifically to the one in June 2019 waiting to hear about whether she was staying in Canada to study or was to be given the opportunity to travel to an amazing country and study/practice her dream career. The Alex packed with nerves, excitement and fears. The one who is so unaware of the challenges she and the world as a whole will face. The Alex who is completely prepared and unprepared at the same time.

There is so much to tell you and so much to share. Almost two years ago, you were patiently waiting to find out if you had gotten into JCU. Now, you’re studying in Australia, there is a global pandemic (although Aussie land is doing quite well) and you’ve managed to stay sane amongst the craziness of it all. Things have not been easy, you’re repeating first year as COVID really affected you, you haven’t seen mom and dad in over a year and the fears and realities associated with the pandemic have been difficult.

The number of friends and memories though? Endless. You’ve gone on numerous adventures whether it be Magnetic Island, Pallarenda, or The Strand. Through it all your new chosen family has helped you. You have grown a lot since then, from 17 to 19, old Alex seems like a lifetime ago. Leaving home and going so far away really lets you mature, you look back at previous decisions and think “why would I do that?” or even laugh at your old idiocies.

Although you are still young, you won’t be the same person you are now. Your goals and morals will remain the same but the paths you will follow to reach them will change. Through your time in Australia, you will really realize that success is not a linear journey—it’s a bloody maze (Aussie word inserted for effect) and just like a maze there are multiple ways to the middle, so each person’s journey will be different and that is okay.

Think about your choices, Girl. Consider their impact and choose what you want and what is best for you. You live with yourself forever, others will come and go in your lifetime. Focus on your goals and stride towards them. You are capable, you have all the tools necessary just get to building, girlie, and you’ll get there.

Past Alex, you’ll struggle at times, there’s no doubt of that; however, your family, your friends, and your peers will help you get through it—I promise you.

All the love in world,

Future Alex <3

OzTREKK Student Ambassador: Alex Maznic University: James Cook University Program: Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery Follow Alex on Instagram: @alexandramaznic

[medicalschoolinaustralia]

OzTREKK student named Regional Student of the Year

JCU Medical School student (and former OzTREKKer!) Reuben George has been named Regional Student of the Year at the 2017 Study Queensland IET Excellence Awards! The IET Excellence Awards recognise international education industry leaders, community and business contributors and current and past international students for their achievements.

These high achievers were celebrated at an awards ceremony held Nov. 22, 2017.

The IET Excellence Awards are the only state-wide awards program specifically dedicated to recognising the Queensland international education and training sector and celebrate individual and team success.

Having recognised the importance of support for international students studying medicine, Reuben has worked tirelessly throughout his studies to ensure his fellow international students felt supported and welcomed.

From his own journey of moving to Australia, Reuben recognized that there were very limited supports for international students in the medical program. He decided it was his duty to help guide all future incoming international students.

Reuben has since created an international student manual, which the university provides to each incoming international student. He also lobbied to co-create a mentorship program funded by the JCU College of Medicine and student medical society. This program partners each international medical student with an upper-year international student to support them through their transition of moving to a new country and entering a highly demanding degree. The program involves having coffee catch-ups and weekly social media mental health check-ins, group activities, and peer tutoring for free.

Reuben ensures each student feels heard and he encourages all to be leaders. His passion for international students’ health and well-being is what spurred many of the upper-year students to become mentors themselves.

The current JCU med student’s experience landed him the role of Australian Medical Students Association’s International Chair in 2016, representing all international medical voices across the country.

Reuben does all of this work not for himself, but so that no student feels as isolated as he did in his first year. He wants to help give international students a hand up and achieves this through his many platforms, including his vlog, “Beyond the Stethoscope,” (below) where he captures his life as a medical student and the many challenges and triumphs that come with it.

Congratulations, Reuben, from all of us at OzTREKK!

About JCU Medicine

The 6-year, full-time MBBS degree is a comprehensive program with integrated instruction in biomedical sciences, professional practice and clinical medicine. Graduates will be uniquely qualified in the fields of rural, remote and Indigenous health, and tropical medicine.

Program: Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery Location: Townsville, Queensland Next semester intake: February 2019 Duration: 6 years Application deadline: TBA. Generally the end of August each year.

[medicalschoolinaustralia]

James Cook University trains specialist doctors for regional and remote communities

James Cook University’s ability to train and keep GPs and medical specialists in regional and remote settings has been given a big boost.

As part of the Federal Government’s Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training program $54.4 million has been allocated over 2016–2017 to 2018–19 for new Regional Training Hubs and University Departments of Rural Health.

JCU will operate three of the new Regional Training Hubs—in North, Western and Far North Queensland.

Professor Richard Murray, Dean of JCU’s College of Medicine and Dentistry, said the investment will allow JCU to be more involved in training the specialist doctors that regional and remote communities need.

“The number of graduating doctors in Australia has almost tripled over the past 15 years, yet what we have seen is graduates piling up in the cities, looking for city-based specialist training jobs. The regions are still left to rely on importing doctors from overseas. This announcement is a welcome first step towards a system that trains specialist doctors and GPs where they are most needed,” he said.

Professor Murray said it was time for Commonwealth, state and territory governments to commit to a revolution in the further training of medical graduates.

“We need a system that sees much more specialist training based in regional Australia, with a city rotation only as needed,” he said.

Professor Murray said JCU has long been a national leader and advocate of training medical graduates for work in regional Australia.

“This announcement shows that Assistant Minister for Health David Gillespie is listening to the arguments we have been making over the last decade,” he said.

Professor Sabina Knight, Director of JCU’s Mount Isa Centre for Rural & Remote Health, said the funding will enhance rural health.

“We do a lot of work encouraging students to stay and work in rural and remote areas, but if they can’t get an internship in a regional hospital such as Mount Isa, then they have to go to a city for training and often end up disappearing into metropolitan areas,” she said.

Professor Knight said the initiative fills in a crucial gap in the current system.

“This was the missing bit in the pipeline between having early year medical students and turning out medical specialists in a rural or remote area. We will have a better pathway now and a much better ability to follow through on their training,” she said.

Professor Murray welcomed the funding as a valuable first step, but said the program would be even more fruitful if states and territories now came on board with their support.

About the JCU Medical School MBBS Program

The 6-year, full-time MBBS degree at James Cook University is a comprehensive program with integrated instruction in biomedical sciences, professional practice and clinical medicine. Graduates will be uniquely qualified in the fields of rural, remote and Indigenous health, and tropical medicine.

Program: Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery Location: Townsville, Queensland Semester intake: February Duration: 6 years Application deadline: August 30, 2017 (Note: early offers of admission may be made to high-achieving international applicants. It is recommended that students apply as early as possible and well before the August 30 deadline.)

As part of the MBBS application process, all candidates must participate in an interview with Prof Ian Wronksi. For the 2018 intake, JCU will hold interviews with eligible international applicants from Canada either

in person in Canada this June, or

via video-conferencing following the August 30th program application deadline.

In-person interviews in Canada (dates are subject to change)

June 22 – 23, 2017: Toronto June 24, 2017: Edmonton June 25 – 26, 2017: Vancouver

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Prof Ian Wronski (Photo: JCU)

Why should Canadians consider studying at JCU Medical School in Australia?

There are many reasons that encourage people to study medicine. Among the most popular include the desire to help others. Sometimes that wish goes beyond the standard “I want to make a difference in my community” to “I want to make a difference in the world.”

So what makes JCU stand out from other Australian universities? And how on earth can we compare Australia’s and Canada’s health care needs?

James Cook University may not be the largest university, or the most well-known, but JCU has something the others don’t: their riveted focus on Aboriginal health, rural medicine, public health, tropical medicine and the needs of under-served populations.

James Cook University Deputy Vice Chancellor Tropical Health and Medicine Professor Ian Wronski explains why JCU concentrates on rural, remote and tropical health care.

“JCU was established as Australia’s university for the tropics, and so we focus on programs that are particularly relevant to the tropical world,” Prof Wronski says.

“In the medicine, health, molecular science part of the university—that includes all the health professions and molecular biology and biomedicine, and the research institutes we have—we’ve particularly targeted issues relating to under-served populations, especially rural, remote, indigenous and tropical peoples.”

Tropical peoples? How can that relate to Canada you ask? When speaking about Canada, most people think frigid winters, not tropics.

But the connection between Australia and Canada is stronger than you may think.

In fact, in 2013, JCU Medical School Dean and Head of School Richard Murray travelled to Canada as a member of an Australian government delegation at a Canadian-Australian roundtable on recognition of professional credentials between the two countries.

Dean Murray made a case for why Canada and Australia should collaborate our shared interest in health care innovation to meet the needs of our geographically dispersed populations. Prof Murray said that the opportunities this creates for Australian and Canadian practitioners to gain experience in each other’s countries could only benefit the quality and depth of rural medical services.

“In medicine for rural areas, there are opportunities for movement and exchange for students, doctors in training as well as specialists in rural general practice and other generalist specialties. Innovation in areas such as telemedicine and socially accountable health professional education are shared interests,” Prof Murray wrote in an article he published in the JCU Medical School’s journal, A Taste of our own Medicine.

Prof Wronski said there are many countries in a similar position to Australia, including Canada. Like Australia, our population is concentrated on the fringes of the country, where the climate is most ideal and the land most usable. But where people live in rural and Northern Canada, away from the general population, finding health care can be more challenging—just like the people in remote and tropical locations of Australia.

So what kind of student does James Cook University wish to attract?

When asked why JCU likes Canadian students, Professor Wronski narrowed it down: “Canada has a good education system, and students come to us well educated and broad-minded. Also, many of them have that fire in their belly to put something toward the health services side of making life better for under-served populations. Canada, like Australia, has large areas, large rural and indigenous populations,” the JCU professor explains.

“We like Canadian students because we see ourselves as a global hub, and we want to attract students who are interested the tropical world and the health of under-served peoples.”

Does this sound like you? If you’re passionate about changing the world, particularly the lives of those who live in rural or remote areas, JCU wants to talk to you!

About the JCU Medical School Medical Program

The 6-year, full-time MBBS degree is a comprehensive program with integrated instruction in biomedical sciences, professional practice and clinical medicine. Graduates will be uniquely qualified in the fields of rural, remote and Indigenous health, and tropical medicine.

As part of the MBBS application process, all candidates must participate in an interview with Prof Ian Wronksi. For the 2018 intake, JCU will hold interviews with eligible international applicants from Canada either

in person in Canada this June, or

via video-conferencing following the August 30th program application deadline.

In-person interviews in Canada (dates are subject to change)

June 22 – 23, 2017: Toronto June 24, 2017: Edmonton June 25 – 26, 2017: Vancouver

Program: Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery Location: Townsville, Queensland Semester intake: February Duration: 6 years Application deadline: August 30, 2017 (Note: Early offers of admission may be made to high-achieving international applicants! Candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible and well before the August 3o deadline.)