Give your GP career a head start with a scholarship, placement program, or bursary. Spending time in clinical practice is invaluable for building your knowledge and skills. But it’s also an opportunity to experience the reality of general practice and confirm whether it’s the path you want to take. Give your GP career a head start with a scholarship, placement program, or bursary. Let’s take a look at some of the most worthwhile opportunities to consider. Work in general practice under supervision Name: John Murtagh First Wave Scholarship Program Provider: General Practice Students Network Overview: Thiry-five general practice placement hours comprising eight sessions with a clinical placement supervisor and two sessions with allied services Who can apply: Open to first- and second-year students. One scholarship per state and territory, plus several bursaries (depending on funding and the quality of applications), which are similar but shorter in duration. Stipend: $1000 What to expect: The program promises a positive and inspiring experience of general practice. You’ll come to appreciate the importance of GPs in continuous, long-term health care, and you’ll get a good idea of just what it means to be a GP – the job description, the lifestyle, and the career options. The program is also a great chance to build your skills in history taking, examination, preventative healthcare, and simple tasks such as blood pressure measurements and immunisations. More information: https://gpsn.org.au/firstwave/ Experience rural medicine firsthand Name: John Flynn Placement Program Provider: Rural Workforce Agency Network Overview: Four annual two-week placements with a rural doctor Who can apply: 300 places, open to all Australian medical students Stipend: $500 per week plus travel and accommodation costs What to expect: You’ll work one-on-one with a rural doctor as they go about their everyday practice. Such a close mentoring relationship is an amazing opportunity to build a strong understanding and appreciation of rural medicine. You’ll encounter a diverse range of health settings and situations, and be exposed to the unique challenges that characterise rural healthcare. You’ll also be expected to immerse yourself in the local community – that means living with a local host, and being linked with a local person or organisation that will help you get involved with social and cultural experiences in the community. More information: https://www.jfpp.com.au/ Receive money and a mentor to launch your rural career Name: Rural Australia Medical Undergraduate Scholarship Provider: National Rural Health Alliance Overview: Financial aid to help cover the cost of study and a rural doctor to act as your mentor over the course of your study Who can apply: Around 130 scholarships available per year based on financial need and commitment to working in rural practice. Open to current Australian medical students (citizens or permanent residents) with a rural background and membership of their rural health club. Stipend: $10,000 per annum What to expect: You’ll have the opportunity to choose your mentor from a pool of around 500 rural doctors that participate in the program. Your mentor will support you during your studies, helping you gain exposure to rural practice. While placements are not a requirement for the scholarship, recipients are expected to make an effort to create and maintain ties with rural Australia, and to understand and appreciate rural practice. More information: http://ramus.ruralhealth.org.au/ Make a difference for teens considering medicine Name: Northern Territory Rural High School Visits Provider: Northern Territory Primary Health Network Overview: Visits to high schools in the NT to promote careers in healthcare Who can apply: 12 places open to all Australian medical, nursing and allied health students Stipend: Travel expenses only What to expect: You’ll lead workshops looking at the benefits and challenges of careers in health, drawing on your own experiences to give students meaningful insights into what it means to be a doctor. This is a chance to make a real and lasting impact on young people’s lives. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit health clinics and meet health professionals during your stay. More information: http://www.ntphn.org.au/working-nt/future-workforce-initiatives/nt-rural-high-school-visits Make your foray into NSW or ACT rural medicine Name: Bush Bursary and Country Women’s Association Scholarships Provider: NSW Rural Doctors Network Overview: Two-week rural placement Who can apply: Open to selected first-, second-, and third-year medical students in NSW and ACT. Stipend: $3000 What to expect: The Rural Doctors Network doesn’t go into detail on what the program involves, but states that the placement “combines the enjoyable aspects of country life and rural medicine”. More information: http://www.nswrdn.com.au/client_images/1766192.pdf Be reimbursed for a placement of your choice Name: Rural Elective Bursary Provider: Australian Medical Students’ Association Overview: Reimbursement for a rural or Indigenous health placement Who can apply: Open to all Australian medical students who are members of their university’s rural health club. You must complete a four-week elective placement in a rural area or Indigenous health service to be eligible. Stipend: Reimbursement for costs of placement, up to $1000 What to expect: Financial aid only, for an elective placement More information: http://www.gpoptions.com.au/scholarship/amsa-rural-elective-bursary/ Indigenous students: Get help with course fees Name: Indigenous Peoples Medical Scholarship Provider: Australian Medical Association Overview: Financial aid to help cover the cost of study Who can apply: One scholarship available, open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people currently studying medicine in Australia Stipend: $10,000 per annum What to expect: Financial aid only
