Article written by Jocelyn Sticklen, CQUniversity
An Australian-first university and hospital partnership that has set the benchmark for regional medical training has been renewed for another five years.
The Regional Medical Pathway – a medical education and training pathway pioneered by CQUniversity, The University of Queensland, and the Central Queensland and Wide Bay Hospital and Health Services – will now see the popular program continue into the future thanks to the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding between four the partners.
First established in 2021, the pathway allows up to 60 students per year to complete their entire medical studies in regional Queensland.
It sees students complete a three-year Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) course with CQUniversity, before moving into UQ’s four-year MD program, with both education programs delivered locally in Bundaberg or Rockhampton.
As part of the partnership the Hospital and Health Services will provide students with internship opportunities and postgraduate training places within their regional footprints.
The first intake of students entered the pathway in 2022 with aspiring doctors from across Australia relocating to Bundaberg and Rockhampton to commence CQUniversity’s Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) degree.
This foundation cohort are set to complete their CQUniversity studies at the end of 2024 and will enter the full UQ MD program in 2025.
The pathway is now in its third year and just achieved its highest ever intake of first year students, with almost 50 percent of whom are local to the Central Queensland and Wide Bay regions, highlighting that aspiring doctors no longer need to leave the regions to undertake medical studies.
CQUniversity’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Nick Klomp said: “Today’s re-signing of the Regional Medical Pathway MOU is another important milestone in the delivery of this important education pathway.
“The success of the Regional Medical Pathway is obvious, with our first intake of students set to graduate and commence their formal MD studies in the region from next year.
“As they progress through their studies and become doctors, it will make a huge difference to health delivery in our region, something that will be the direct result of four parties coming together to address the critical issue of health workforce shortages in regional and remote areas.”
Deborah Terry AC, Vice-Chancellor and President at The University of Queensland said: “The Regional Medical Pathway will help to address the difficulties in attracting and retaining doctors in regional, remote and rural areas, with the program attracting students from both the local area and other regions of Australia.
“The aim of the program has always been to deliver positive, sustained improvement in the health outcomes of regional communities, particularly here in Queensland.
“UQ looks forward to continuing our work with CQUniversity and the Hospital and Health Services to nurture future health workforces in the regions and deliver a rich and fulfilling experience to medical students.”
The Chief Executives of the Hospital and Health Services in Central Queensland and the Wide Bay agreed with these statements and explained that a strong workforce pipeline would have a tangible impact on health service delivery in the regions.
Lisa Blackler, Chief Executive, Central Queensland Hospital and Health Services said: “As we see students working their way through the Regional Medical Pathway, communities in Central Queensland and Wide Bay can be confident that future health workforces will be better equipped to deal with community growth and changing healthcare needs.
“The Central Queensland and Wide Bay regions are growing, and the communities have an expectation that healthcare delivery will meet future demand, the Regional Medical Pathway is allowing us to develop a strong pipeline of future doctors who have a unique understanding of regional and remote practice.”
Debbie Carroll, Chief Executive, Wide Bay Hospital and Health Services added: “This collaboration allows us to deliver an end-to-end medical education and training program for doctors, right here in Central Queensland and the Wide Bay. It has been specifically designed to secure long-term, locally trained workforces for the regions.
“To date we have seen the program deliver greater accessibility for regionally based students to study medicine locally and we have also seen students from metropolitan areas relocate to the regions.”
Students from the program also shared their positive experiences of being part of a regionally based training and education program with Bundaberg-based Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine), Varun Lad saying he had formed strong local bonds with medical professionals and peers since relocating from Sydney in 2021.
“Being among the foundation cohort of students in the Regional Medical Pathway has been a life-changing experience for me. I relocated to Bundaberg from Sydney to study in the program and haven't looked back since! It has been an enriching experience to be part of the Wide Bay community.
“The program has given me a valuable head start when it comes to my future career in medicine, and I have been offered learning opportunities that have helped me understand medicine holistically. The observational placements as part of my medical science degree have been amazing, the academic staff are supportive, I have already established local professional networks, and I have also made lifelong friends with my peers,” said Mr Lad.
Meanwhile, Rockhampton-based third-year student, Tylin Guthrie said the program gave her the opportunity to learn on Country.
“Getting accepted into the foundation year of the Regional Medical Pathway was a dream come true. As a proud Darumbal woman it gave me the opportunity to complete the entirety of my medical studies on Country.
“Studying the whole program in my local community allowed me to stay close to my support networks, and get an understanding of local healthcare challenges and how I can support better health outcomes for First Nations Australians.
“As a future doctor, my career goal is to play a role in Closing the Gap by helping to ensure Australia's First Nations peoples are equal in health and life to non-Indigenous Australians."
The Regional Medical Pathway model originally developed for the Central Queensland and Wide Bay Regions is now also being applied to the Darling Downs and Southwest Queensland Regions, helping to ensure that regional Queensland has a strong emerging medical workforce.
For more information on the program please visit the Regional Medical Pathway website.
