Covid Challenges & Opportunities
by Jack Saunders
Completing my studies in 2020 presented numerous unexpected challenges, especially in gaining practical clinical experience amid a global pandemic. However, where challenges arise, so do opportunities for growth and exposure to new experiences.
When Covid-19 escalated at the beginning of 2020, I was fortunate enough to return to Sunraysia and live with my family. The swift transition from practical to online learning made me increasingly aware of my need for valuable clinical experience, particularly as the year progressed, and my tertiary training was coming to an end.
Having retreated to my hometown of Mildura earlier in 2020, I began searching for potential opportunities to gain experience in the Mallee Region. I was immediately drawn to Louise Bibby and her team at Central Mallee Health. Generously, the team allowed me to join them at their Swan Hill Clinic and outreach locations to complete an internship!
My very first experience was as part of Central Mallee Health's outreach program in Manangatang, where I joined Louise on a busy and rewarding day. The early morning ninety-minute drive from Mildura through this picturesque part of the country was a relaxing start to what would be an eventful first day!
Louise set up her mobile Osteo clinic room in a multipurpose building in Manangatang, formerly a bank. This space is well-utilised by other visiting health professionals and a hairdresser, enabling access to these essential services in remote communities. Over the course of the morning, I had the opportunity to meet several members of the tight-knit community.
What became immediately apparent to me was the general sense of appreciation for having access to primary healthcare close to home! This is understandable, considering the significant commute to Swan Hill, Bendigo, or Mildura for comparable or further care.
Reflecting on the importance of the Outreach program, I believe one of its most valuable components is how Louise and her team work with members of these rural communities in their healthcare decision-making. Specifically, identifying when commuting several hours or more for healthcare is warranted to effectively address their needs or not. Effectively making these decisions can save valuable time and money, especially during a busy time of year with harvest underway, a labor-intensive period for these communities.
Louise ensured we would make the most of our Manangatang visit by organising an athletic development training session with some local, talented young athletes from the area during our 'lunch break.' It seems like rural communities are always brimming with talented youngsters who are eager to develop their craft and take every opportunity to do so! We drove down to the local tennis courts at the racecourse to meet the kids, where Louise enthusiastically shared her expertise during the running session.
After a quick breather and a drink, it was back to the multipurpose former bank/hair salon/osteopathy clinic for an afternoon of meeting more patients. The day flew by, and before we knew it, the sun was beginning to set over the wheat fields around Manangatang.
The drive home was just as picturesque as my drive in. The commute gave me plenty of time to reflect on my day's experience, and I found myself appreciating the strong sense of community and character that epitomises small rural towns like Manangatang. Working with enthusiastic young athletes was immensely rewarding.
Over the following weeks, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to visit the wonderful communities of Wycheproof, Robinvale, and Birchip. The strong sense of community was evident at every stop. The positive impact the outreach program has on these communities is immediately apparent and must be rewarding for the entire Central Mallee Health team!
A personal highlight of mine was being invited to run a basketball training session as part of a development program in Robinvale after a day of Outreach. Having been unable to compete or train all year, the young athletes were brimming with energy, and I relished being back on the court once again myself. This is just one example of the positive and fulfilling interactions rural healthcare providers can enjoy with rural communities. It is a point of difference compared to working in the larger city centres, and in my opinion, one of the greatest attractions of practicing rurally.
While gaining clinical experience was a big motivator for joining Louise and her team on their Osteo Outreach trip, I gained much more than that. A rural osteopathic internship can, in this case, driven by the unusual circumstances of 2020, provide a unique perspective on primary healthcare not explored in the city centres where tertiary training occurs. Plus, you get to meet some wonderful people who are passionate about their communities, care about their profession, and are dedicated to developing the next generation of healthcare providers.
I encourage any student who is afforded this opportunity to take full advantage of this opportunity.
- Jack