Abstract
Introduction: Electives and selectives in developing countries are an important part of student learning experiences. During 2013, Bond University on the Gold Coast of Queensland in Australia piloted final year undergraduate medical student placements (n=33) at Kirakira Hospital, on Makira Island in the Solomon Islands. The placement was evaluated that year. Methods: The clinical placement in Kirakira Hospital required 12 months of planning by the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine of Bond University in 2012. The evaluation of 2013 placements included a literature review; semi-structured interviews with participating Bond University and Kirakira Hospital staff, and with community members (n=16); an electronic survey (n=18); a focus group with participating students (n=9); and a written report with recommendations. Results: All groups that participated in the evaluation – the students, Bond University faculty, Kirakira Hospital staff and community members – found that this was an extremely valuable, personally safe, clinically fascinating and professionally life changing student experience, which was greatly appreciated by, and contributes to, the local Kirakira community. The greatest strength of the program was the peer mentoring and supervision model – whereby four students worked in pairs supported by nurses, the doctor and local community. The main challenges were the supervision arrangements and available resources.
Highlights
Electives and selectives in developing countries are an important part of student learning experiences
This article describes an evaluation of the first year of a novel clinical placement opportunity in Solomon Islands that was carefully planned across 2012 and implemented in 2013 by the medical program at Bond University on the Gold Coast of Queensland, Australia
Local hospital staff and community members reported that the students had made a big impact on the community, having improved the capacity of the hospital, raised the quality of care of patients, as well as the overall standards of nursing care: We really appreciate the student presence, they are more like an MO [medical officer] ... they help the nurses to maintain a standard of care and we [the nurses] are very cautious about making a mistake when the students are here. (Interview 9, local staff informant)
Summary
Electives and selectives in developing countries are an important part of student learning experiences. In Australia, 53% of graduate entry medical students and 35% of secondary school entry students undertake an international placement during their education[2] These experiences are viewed as an important part of students’ learning experiences, where they often get to see medicine involving tropical and communicable diseases that they never would in their own developed countries, as well as having a professional and personal experience that may change their life or future career path[1,4]. This article describes an evaluation of the first year of a novel clinical placement opportunity in Solomon Islands that was carefully planned across 2012 and implemented in 2013 by the medical program at Bond University on the Gold Coast of Queensland, Australia
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