Looking to the horizon
The Age
Saturday December 5, 2009
Multi-disciplinary interest in rural and general health education (MIRAGE) is doing its bit to promote country health workers.MIRAGE involves students from a wide range of disciplines, such as nursing, physiotherapy, dentistry and medicine, who conduct workshops at local high schools to promote careers in rural health.Program co-ordinator Jason Mak, a second-year medical student, says they are university students who have come together with a common interest.Formed in 1996, MIRAGE is part of the national rural health students' network, consisting of 29 similar clubs across Australia, with a combined membership of more than 8000 students."We are promoting ourselves to generate new membership and interest among health students - and push our cause to the policy makers who fund our programs," Mak says."We are also keen to let country dwellers know that they are not forgotten and that there are young health practitioners in training who are keen to work in their local communities."With its members passionate about improving health in rural and remote Australia, Mak says: "Some come from a rural background and some from the city - and while there are those planning on practising in the bush, others are yet to make up their minds."MIRAGE provides opportunities for students to taste rural health who may not otherwise have given it due consideration."Against the perception that doctors have to be "dragged" and "lured" against their will to practise in rural towns, Mak says the financial, professional and lifestyle incentives are greater."We consistently see rural doctors, nurses and allied health workers who describe challenges, clinical variety, a social and recreational lifestyle and a sense of importance to communities that make it a greater attraction over urban practice."Keeping an eye on the bigger picture, Mak says indigenous health is inextricably linked to rural and remote health. "Closing the gap is one of our core values," he says."MIRAGE actively encourages indigenous membership, attends indigenous festivals and holds an annual indigenous health forum that is open to the public."While being involved is purely extracurricular and voluntary, Mak says their skills nights, clinical placements and conferences supplement study."Medicine is a long road and sometimes I wish I could hit fast-forward," he laments."Wanting to know everything all at once; desiring all the wisdom and skill of my mentors and teachers blows my mind."MIRAGE tries to reach as many rural schools as possible."It gives me goosebumps to think that something I'm involved in can help one of these awesome kids to make the call and go for it," Mak says."Many country kids think uni studying is beyond them ... they don't realise there are many ways to get into their preferred course, or that they can change their mind along the way."YVONNE NICOLASMore health jobs atmycareer.com.au/health.TAKE CARESALARY Medical graduates (interns) earn about $40,000 per annum in their first year.STUDY There are two types of medical programs: a six-year degree for high school students who enter directly, or a four-year degree for those who have graduated from another degree. "I studied nursing first, worked and travelled for a few years before having a crack at medicine," Mak says. He notes he wasn't the smartest kid at school and he encourages students to persevere.LINKSwww.mirage.soc.usyd.edu.au; nrhsn.org.au;nrhsn-rhsv.org.au.
© 2009 The Age
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