RURAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT OF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 DEPARTMENT OF RURAL HEALTH FACULTY OF MEDICINE, DENTISTRY AND HEALTH SCIENCES

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1 DEPARTMENT OF RURAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT OF RURAL HEALTH FACULTY OF MEDICINE, DENTISTRY AND HEALTH SCIENCES ANNUAL REPORT 2015 FUNDED BY THE COMMONWEALTH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND AGEING UNDER HEALTH WORKFORCE PROGRAMS

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3 CONTENTS Mission... 2 Report from the Head of the Department of Rural Health... 3 Rural Clinical School... 4 Extended Rural Cohort (ERC)... 5 Student Awards... 6 Student Presentations... 7 Report from the Director of the University Department of Rural Health (UDRH)... 8 Multidisciplinary Training Program Nursing and Allied Health... 9 Aboriginal Health Workforce Dental Science Pharmacy Centre for Excellence in Rural Sexual Health (CERSH) Murray to the Mountains Intern Training Program North East Victoria Research and Research Training Aboriginal Health Medical Education Mental Health Rural Health Academic Network (RHAN) Research Training Research Grants Publications Community Engagement and Partnerships Partnerships Seminars and Public Lectures Rural Student Health Clubs Student Community Engagement Staffing Academic Staff Professional Staff Honorary Staff DEPARTMENT OF RURAL HEALTH Department of Rural Health - Annual Report

4 MISSION - STRATEGIC GOALS Mission Excellence and equity in Rural Health through education, research and engagement Strategic Goals The Department of Rural Health has established a set of indicators of rural health workforce outcomes* for its students, to evaluate its health workforce programs and activities The Department of Rural Health will increase the duration and quality of supported allied health and nursing placements. Interdisciplinary training is established and is an important element of teaching and learning at the Department of Rural Health A communication and partnership strategy will be developed, and implemented, to efficiently engage! with our staff, communities and organisational partners The Department of Rural Health will promote greater excellence in rural medical education through enhanced teacher skill development and accreditation of clinical teachers An all-inclusive program of cultural safety training and development for the Department of Rural Health staff will be implemented There will 15 indigenous graduates in health sciences from, or supported by, the Department of Rural Health in 15 years The Department of Rural Health will support the establishment of a Yorta Yorta research ethics advisory committee A program of research into rural chronic ill-health will be undertaken A program of research into culturally inclusive rural health will be undertaken * These will include, to the extent possible, location of practice of former students. And short term assessment of impact of placements on the student intent in regard to rural practice! Engagement includes sustaining good working relationships, appropriate information transfer and maximising the benefits to all parties of effective collaboration 2 Department of Rural Health - Annual Report 2015

5 REPORT FROM THE HEAD OF DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL HEALTH 2015 was the final year of our last Federal Government funding cycle and for the first time since the Rural Clinical School (RCS) and University Department of Rural Health (UDRH) programs were established, significant changes to our contracts and Key Performance Indicators were proposed by the Government. I have to say that the proposals put forward were all sensible and we were able to enter into a very constructive dialogue with the Department of Health about the proposed changes to our programs as a whole, as well as detailed negotiations about our department s funding and outcome measures. The RCS and UDRH programs have been combined into one Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training program. For some universities, this will be the first time their RCS and UDRH teams will be working together. For our department, which has always had RCS and UDRH programs working with joint administration and facilities, this will not lead to any major changes in the way we work. Based largely on the success of Professor Lisa Bourke and her team in increasing the number of our nursing and allied health placements during 2015, we have also been able to secure a significant amount of additional funding to further increase our support to nursing and allied health students in our regions. This is a major focus of our new contract and we have set an extremely ambitious target for our support of a total number of nursing and allied health students by A second achievement in 2015 was the growth of all three of our research themes. In the areas of chronic rural ill health, culturally inclusive rural health care and rural health workforce, we had many conference presentations and published papers. It was exciting when Professor David Simmons, who was the first Director of the UDRH, suggested revisiting the Crossroads Undiagnosed Disease Study approximately a decade after this study was first conducted. Professor Lisa Bourke and Dr Kristen Glenister worked with David and many others in our department to develop a grant proposal, and were awarded a NHMRC Partnership grant of over $1,000,000 to carry out the study in partnership with many of our local health services and health providers. We have also had a successful year in promotions for our academics, Dr Christina Malatzky and Dr Daniel Terry were promoted to Research, Rev Dr Helen Malcolm was promoted to Associate Professor and Lisa Bourke was promoted to Professor, these are fantastic achievements. Particularly for Helen and Lisa this represents fitting recognition for many years of sustained success in their work and commitment to the university. I look forward to 2016 as a time of further growth and challenges. Professor Julian Wright Head of Department, Department of Rural Health Rural Clinical School graduating class of 2015 Department of Rural Health - Annual Report

6 RURAL CLINICAL SCHOOL (RCS) Our Rural Clinical School (RCS) students continue to perform very well academically compared to their metropolitan clinical school peers in some ways has been a challenging one for the RCS, with a major restructure of the professional staff workforce of the University and a restructure of the Melbourne Medical School. Fortunately, 2015 has been a year of consolidation of the changes following these restructures. After some uncertainty the internal RCS academic management structure is now in place, improving teaching staff management and development. The initiation of a teacher accreditation program has stimulated many teachers to consider their continuing professional development. A number of innovations designed to provide quality education in a setting with limited access to clinical teachers, have proved successful. Their benefits have been validated by the Melbourne Medical School implementing initiatives such as clinical education facilitators throughout the school. RCS Student Numbers The relationship between the Murray to Mountain (M2M) PGY1 program and the RCS was strengthened by the Dean of the RCS undertaking the role of Director of Clinical Training for M2M. This provides a strong base to enhance rural postgraduate training pathways for our students. The University of Melbourne Shepparton Medical Centre continues to provide a valued teaching resource for the RCS, while providing much needed high quality care to the community. In 2015 the medical centre delivered circa approximately 700 teaching sessions for medical students, of three hours or more. This was achieved, despite the Medical Centre being limited to an average of 2.3FTE of senior clinicians. Site MD2 students MD3 students MD4 students Ballarat Bendigo Shepparton Wangaratta 14 9 Extended Rural Cohort 22 TOTAL MD1 Rural Health Dinner Department of Rural Health - Annual Report 2015

7 Extended Rural Cohort (ERC) 2015 was a year of tremendous achievement for our ERC students. The end of year results reflected some outstanding performances by ERC students. To achieve these results requires exceptional students but is also a reflection of excellent clinical placements. ERC students spent 60% of available teaching time at their general practice locations and also had intensive 1-3 week hospital specialty blocks. This model seems to suit our ERC primary care practices well as students are embedded in to practice team throughout the year. Many students involved themselves with sporting and other activities in their practice locations which I am sure enhanced their general learning experience. Several of the ERC practices also hosted interns from the Murray to Mountains program which provided additional opportunities for peer feedback and learning. During 2015, a two-year academic evaluation of the learning experience of ERC students compared to third year MD students completing traditional rotations was completed. We hope to publish the results of this evaluation in due course but early analysis of the results seems to indicate that ERC students certainly feel confident in patient assessments and well-practiced in their communication and patient presentation skills by the end of their time in their primary care placement. In the future we intend to expand this program to include 30 students; this will mean an expansion in the number of primary care practices involved in the program and we are already in negotiations with several practices that have shown an interest in being part of the ERC over the coming years. Our Extended Rural Cohort GP practices for 2015 were: Church St Surgery Benalla Cobram Medical Clinic Central General Practice Mansfield Corowa Medical Centre Echuca Moama Family Medical Practice Kialla Medical Clinic Lister House, Shepparton Mansfield Medical Clinic Mt Beauty Medical Centre Ovens Medical Group, Wangaratta Rich River Health Group, Echuca Shepparton Medical Centre Wyndham House Clinic, Shepparton Yarrawonga Denis Medical Group I am extremely grateful to all of the ERC general practice educators and supervisors, their practice administration teams, all the RCS professional staff and ERC Hub educators for their hard work ensuring our students are well supported. We can all take pride in the success of the 2015 ERC student cohort. ERC Tour 2015 Department of Rural Health - Annual Report

8 RURAL CLINICAL SCHOOL (RCS) Student Awards The 12th RCS Graduation Celebration Dinner of the Rural Clinical School (RCS) graduating class of 2015 was held in Ballarat on 31st October The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Megan Dynan and the event was attended by graduating students, RCS staff and many community representatives. The keynote speaker for the evening was Dr Lydia Putra-Johns, a Urologist from Ballarat. Awards were handed out to students for professionalism and commitment to community, among others. A gift was given to each student from the RCS in the form of a book by Dr John Murtagh, Cautionary Tales Authentic Case Histories for Medical Practice. The evening was enjoyed by students, staff, friends and family Rural Clinical School Graduation Dinner Nicholas Wilson receiving the RCS Prize for Professionalism from Professor Julian Wright Congratulations to the following students who won Rural Clinical School Awards in 2015: Student Nicholas Wilson Robert Holian Nicholas Wilson Julian Dascalu Pieter Neef Ellie Bowditch & Brendon McCarthy Marlee Watson & Zara La Roche Priyanka Goradia & Zara La Roche Award Rural Clinical School s Student Prize for Professionalism The Rural Communities Award Dr Bill Quilty Memorial Prize for Academic Merit The Rural Clinical School Specialty Health Prize The Shepparton Surgeons and Physicians Prize for Academic Merit Sir Albert Coates Surgical Scholarship Rural Travel ship to Shimane School of Medicine (Izumo, Japan) Dawn De Witt Award for Grand Rounds Presentation 6 Department of Rural Health - Annual Report 2015

9 Student Presentations Conference On Country 4 Health camp Hosting a workshop for incoming PhD in Neuroscience students currently undertaking the NEUR90011/12 subject Department of Rural Health Aboriginal Health Conference LIME Connection Conference in Townsville Global Health Conference (AMSA) in Perth Presentation/Attendance Attended Attended Attended Attended Attended 2015 AMSA National Leadership Development Seminar (NLDS) in Canberra Attended Australian Indigenous Doctors Association Conference in Adelaide National Rural Health Student Network GP Conference for the Royal Australasian College of General Practitioners Attending the National Rural Health Student Network GP Conference for the Royal Australasian College of General Practitioners Attend GP15 Conference Melbourne Attend the AMSA National Convention as a member of the Publications and Promotions Sub-committee Involvement in organisation of AMSA Convention in Melbourne Global Health Conference in Perth. Current member of the Australian Medical Students Association Global Health Sub-committee and will be involved in running workshops at the GHC and taking part in Train New Trainers workshop Medical Medleys rehearsals and performances AOFAS Conference to present results from Scholarly Selective research Poster presentation at IMSANZ Conference Presenting abstract at IMSANZ Conference Presenting scholarly selective project at RAGGP15 conference in Melbourne Presenting Abstract at Australian Gastroenterology Week Conference Presenting Scholarly Selective research at Australian Orthopaedic Association ASM in Brisbane Presenting Scholarly Selective research at RACS Vic/Tas Annual Scientific Meeting in Tasmania Selected to represent for AMSA Australia at the IFMSA General Assembly in Macedonia Attended Attended Attended Attended Involved Involved Involved Involved Presenting Presenting Presenting Presenting Presenting Presenting Presenting Representative Department of Rural Health - Annual Report

10 REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF RURAL HEALTH (UDRH) In 2015, the University Department of Rural Health (UDRH) program supported 1,029 students undertake a short-term placement in our regions. Students were supported in a range of ways, including facilitating university students to come to our regions, providing tutorials, financial support for student costs of travel and accommodation, training in cultural competency and rural health, support to supervisors and health services and feedback to health services from student evaluations. In addition to supporting students, the University Department of Rural Health team engaged in new ways of providing placements, providing rural health experiences and facilitating students to go rural. An online introduction to rural health was completed to provide students with an understanding of the context and avoiding the pitfalls of rural practice. The team trialled a model of service learning ; this placed physiotherapy students in two Shepparton primary schools to support disadvantaged children with their physical health. An evaluation found strong support from the schools to continue this model. A range of planning activities identified new directions for student support, health service support and regional approaches to enhance the rural health workforce in the future. In addition to education for university students on placement, the Department of Rural Health brings The University of Melbourne to our regions to provide education in diverse ways. UDRH Team 8 Department of Rural Health - Annual Report 2015 We supported extended nursing training: 12 nurses completed the Rural Critical Care Graduate Certificate in either Shepparton or Wangaratta; four nurses completed an Advanced Practice Certificate of Nursing (RIPERN) at Cobram District Health; and 13 aged care workers were supported through on-line dementia training. Four final year medical students were intensively supported through a full semester research project for their Scholarly Selective. We also spoke to secondary students about health careers, university education generally and supported cadetships for students to gain experience in the health sector. Finally, we facilitated 10 community lectures on the topics of Mental Health, Chronic Disease Management, Disadvantage, Workforce and Population Health in Shepparton, Wangaratta, Ballarat, Cobram and Maryborough. We also took our education to Melbourne - all 307 second year University of Melbourne medical students completed online training in rural practice developed by the team. As such, our educational activities are vast, extending from general topics to the public to specific training for university students and health professionals. Professor Lisa Bourke Director of University Department of Rural Health

11 MULTIDISCIPLINARY TRAINING PROGRAM Nursing and Allied Health report The UDRH supported 841 Australian nursing and allied health students to undertake a rural, clinical placement of two weeks or more. Some of these students indicated that they are now considering a rural career: I can t wait to work in a rural community. Another stated: The support I have received has made me re-think, and I have applied for only rural positions. A third said: Before commencing this placement I would have never comprehended a career working in rural health. I ve always been content with my lifestyle in Melbourne, however I ve always been a person who seeks serenity and my 3 week experience in Swan Hill enabled me to forget about the clutters of Melbourne. The... experience [was] such a valuable learning curve in my life that I will take away - not just as a memory but as a future prospect. In early February 2015, the website was launched. The objective of the website is to create a one stop shop for students undertaking a clinical placement in the Hume Region. Over 450 students have registered with the website. Through the site students could register for a session in Cultural Competency in Aboriginal Health, access an online Introduction to Rural Practice, seek information about accommodation and/or apply for financial support. Cultural competency training was provided in all our regions and health services were supported with student education. In addition, we supported regional initiatives to enhance placements through participation in Clinical Training Networks and support to regional Allied Health conferences. These multiple approaches to student support facilitated students to undertake a rural placement and to receive a quality education while on placement. Student Numbers Discipline/Course Total Students Total Student Weeks Allied Health Assistant 5 16 Audiology 3 10 Dentistry Dentistry - Oral Health Dietetics Medical Imaging Medical Radiation Medicine Rural Clinical School Neuropsychology 2 6 Nursing Nutrition 1 2 Occupational Therapy Optometry 7 14 Paramedic 3 9 Pharmacy Physiology 1 4 Physiotherapy Podiatry 4 24 Social Work Speech Pathology TOTAL Department of Rural Health - Annual Report

12 MULTIDISCIPLINARY TRAINING PROGRAM Aboriginal Health Workforce The Department of Rural Health has three full-time Aboriginal staff members who are engaged in education, community engagement and research. Among the educational activities in 2015, the Aboriginal team supported 6 local Aboriginal students enrolled in the Master of Public Health degree through the School of Population and Global Health at The University of Melbourne. These students were provided with tutoring, mentoring and some travel support to Melbourne. The team also received approval from the University of Melbourne to develop a Graduate Certificate in Aboriginal Rural Health, as a prelude to the Masters of Public Health. In addition, the team worked in collaboration with the Academy of Sports, Health and Education (ASHE), The University of Melbourne and Goulburn Ovens TAFE to develop a pathway for Aboriginal students in Shepparton into nursing. Aboriginal students in other programs at the Department of Rural Health also received support from the Aboriginal team. All of the students who are undertaking the Master s degree live and work within the local Aboriginal community and so their increased knowledge and skills sets will be a valuable contribution to all on-going programs. The current cohort draws from several diverse Aboriginal health areas within the community like dialysis, dental health, health management and nursing which means the Masters students will have greater impact across a variety of areas. Work is progressing on the development of a Graduate Certificate in Aboriginal Health and Rural Communities which will become a part of a nested health pathway which will see the development of an Aboriginal driven research agenda. It is expected that student numbers for the Graduate Certificate will greatly boost Aboriginal participation into Graduate research programs through the Department of Rural Health. The DRH has also been involved in the delivery of Cultural Immersion Training generally for health staff across the region with many in-service sessions being facilitated by Robynne Nelson a local Yorta Yorta woman who has a vast background in nursing, cultural education and consultancy. During NAIDOC week The Department of Rural Health in collaboration with GV Health in Shepparton arranged a guided walk along the Flats, bushland between Shepparton and Mooroopna for the community. This is a particularly significant area for the local Aboriginal community as it was the site where Aboriginal people first settled after the Cummerugunja Walk Off in The site and the living conditions came to light most notably when the Queen visited the area in As her entourage drove across the highway between the two towns the local council decided to put up a hessian bag wall so that the sight of Aboriginal living conditions wouldn t offend the monarch. Site visits today are a reminder of past events and pay tribute to the history and struggle of local Aboriginal people. Our highlight was the Ngar-wu Wanyarra Aboriginal Health Conference, attended by 108 delegates and facilitating national and local speakers. The conference was an opportunity for sharing information and connecting people that are committed to reforming the practice and research of Aboriginal health and celebrated Aboriginal knowledge systems and strength based approaches to improving the health outcomes of local Aboriginal communities. The Aboriginal team established an Aboriginal Advisory Group, comprised of established and emerging leaders to oversee Aboriginal activities and plan future programs in Aboriginal Health. The role of the Aboriginal Advisory Board was to provide cultural advice and to assist in setting a culturally responsive research agenda which aligned with community priorities. Department of Rural Health Aboriginal staff is engaged in committees with other organisations. Mr Peter Ferguson was elected to the ARHEN Aboriginal Staff Alliance National Chair and was also elected Chair of Yorta Yorta Nations which is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Traditional Owner Organisation that has 600 members locally as well as being the Chair of the Yorta Yorta Traditional Owner Land Management Board of Barmah National Park. Ms Karyn Ferguson was selected to represent the local Aboriginal community on the newly formed Community Advisory Committee to oversee the redevelopment of Goulburn Valley Health. Karyn is also a member of the Academy of Sport Health and Education (ASHE) Advisory Board and is an Executive Director of the Rumbalara Football Netball Club. Ms Raelene Nixon has been invited onto a regional drug and alcohol committee. The team also maintain strong connections and engagement with a range of Aboriginal elders, key organisations (Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative, Rumbalara Football Netball Club, Yorta Yorta Nations Aboriginal Corporation and Kaiela Institute) and community members. 10 Department of Rural Health - Annual Report 2015

13 The Aboriginal Advisory Group first founding meeting at The Department of Rural Health Ngar-Wu Wanyarra Aboriginal Health Conference Flats Walk Department of Rural Health - Annual Report

14 MULTIDISCIPLINARY TRAINING PROGRAM Dental Science In 2015, The Melbourne Dental School and the Department of Rural Health entered into its ninth year of the Rural Dental Program in the Goulburn Valley and the second year for students from the Doctor of Dental Science. Student satisfaction for the program remained extremely high with the 75 Doctor of Dental Science and 19 Bachelor of Oral Health undergraduate students completing the Rural Dental Rotation. Groups of students were based in Shepparton for a 5 6 week block, with the majority of the placement undertaken at Goulburn Valley Health Shepparton, Rumbalara Dental Clinic and Cobram Medical Clinic. Experience was gained in all facets of dentistry including preventative, general restorative, extractions (simple and surgical), endodontics, periodontics, paedodontics and removal prosthodontics. All students also visited one private practice in Shepparton for a session of observing senior dentists at work in a rural setting. Thanks needs to be extended to all the dentists and staff at Goulburn Valley Dental Group, Knight Street Dental & Insight Dental for providing the students with this great opportunity. Some students were also able to observe general dental treatment provided under General Anaesthetic by dentists, including Dr David Whelan, from Goulburn Valley Health Shepparton. Continuing from the previous years, some students had the opportunity to observe dental specialists that included Mr Kevin Spencer (Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon at Shepparton Private Hospital) and Dr Robert & Roslyn Mayne (Goulburn Valley Orthodontics). Thanks must be expressed to all the specialists for providing their time and experience to aid the Rural Dental Program. Bachelor of Oral Health students continued to participate in oral health promotion covering areas such as Aboriginal oral health practice, special needs dentistry and the impact of systemic disease on oral health to name a few. All students continued to play a vital role in the Smiles for Miles oral health education program for pre-school aged children, an initiative headed by Ms Karen Shanahan of Goulburn Valley Health. The medical emergency simulation in dental practice educational program headed by Ms Anne Thewlis from the Department of Rural Health provided all students with an update on the management of medical emergencies focusing on issues that may present in a dental situation. Other initiatives of the curriculum included participation in interdisciplinary treatment planning sessions at Rochester as part of the local Australian Dental Association Northern Group. Thanks once again goes to the staff from the Department of Rural Health, Goulburn Valley Health, Rumbalara, Cobram and District Health Services, Melbourne Dental School, and the local private practitioners & specialists who continue to make this program a successful and rewarding experience for all the students. Pharmacy The Rural Pharmacy Liaison Officer (RPLO) program is a collaboration between The University of Melbourne and Monash University. The project provides support for undergraduate pharmacy students in the Hume, Loddon-Mallee, Grampians and Gippsland regions of Victoria. The program is delivered across central and northern Victoria by The University of Melbourne from the Department of Rural Health, Shepparton; and in the Gippsland region by Monash University from its School of Rural Health in Moe. The program is delivered by pharmacist Kevin de Vries. Kevin is based in Bendigo, allowing him to cover pharmacy placements across the region, which range from Beaufort to Swan Hill to Wangaratta. The program assists students from the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Monash University, Parkville who are undertaking Professional Experience Placements (PEP) during their third or fourth year of studies. Placements are generally for a period of three weeks. Where possible assistance is also provided to students at the School of Pharmacy, La Trobe University in Bendigo. A key objective of the RPLO program is to supporting pharmacy students to have a safe and stimulating rural placement experience and to enhance their understanding of rural health and health care. During their rural PEP students are placed in a community pharmacy or hospital pharmacy department and live in nearby accommodation for the period of the placement. A typical placement experience involves visits to local medical and health care providers including hospitals, emergency departments and services, bush nursing facilities, and pharmacy depots. Students are provided with a specific rural and regional health care and pharmacy practice tutorial delivered by the pharmacist academic, and an introduction to Aboriginal culture, Aboriginal health the provision of health care services to Aboriginal people and an introduction to inter-professional collaboration in the provision of health care services in rural centres and communities. The program has seen growth of 13% in students assisted by the University in the past 12 months. Undergraduate Pharmacy Students supported by The University of Melbourne: Calendar year Undergraduate pharmacy students Achievements during the project period include: The partnership supported placements for 53 undergraduate pharmacy students equating to 159 placement weeks. Newsletters and updates provided to local pharmacists, pharmacies and pharmacy departments. Contribution to a pool of CPD articles with a rural practice perspective, published in Australian Pharmacist. Collaboration and sharing with Rural Pharmacy Liaison Officers across Australia through the Australian Rural Health Education Network (ARHEN), allowing for the best ideas from across Australia to be delivered in rural and regional Victoria. 12 Department of Rural Health - Annual Report 2015

15 CENTRE FOR EXCELLENCE IN RURAL SEXUAL HEALTH (CERSH) The Centre for Excellence in Rural Sexual Health (CERSH) at The University of Melbourne, Department of Rural Health (DRH) had another successful year in The vision, purpose, priorities and key objectives for the Centre, as outlined in the strategic plan , were the guiding principles of focus for all activities. The key achievements for CERSH in 2015 are reported in the CERSH annual report ( uploads/2014/08/cershannualreport2015-web.pdf) under six broad headings: Training the rural workforce, Coordinating initiatives with local communities, Improving the rural sexual health service systems, Creating new knowledge, Providing Leadership and advocacy for rural issues, and Co-ordinating communication about rural sexual health. The work undertaken by CERSH in 2015 demonstrates the broad range of activities as well as the volume of work delivered by our small, hardworking team. A highlight of the year was the very successful SEXrurality 2015 conference which was held in Bendigo and attended by more than 100 rural workers and Melbourne based colleagues. The two days were filled with interesting presentations and workshops and the feedback was extremely positive. Another highlight during 2015 reported in this document is the success in the development and delivery of pregnancy termination services to local rural communities. A large number of professionals came together across sectors and locations in genuine partnership to share expertise, resources and commitment to building accessible, affordable medical termination of pregnancy services into the existing rural service system. By all measurements the outcomes achieved through this work are an example of best practice and authentic partnerships. A special mention should be afforded to the Royal Women s Hospital for the leadership, time and commitment to this work that was provided by Dr Paddy Moore and her colleagues. Into the future 2016 and beyond 2016 is an exciting year that will bring with it a new service agreement between the University of Melbourne and the Department of Health and Human Services Victoria to fund CERSH for another 4 years from June 2016 June Our activity and focus will align with a newly developed strategic plan and we look forward to consolidating the tremendous work already undertaken by CERSH since 2009 and taking on exciting new opportunities where ever they arise. SEXruality 2015 Conference Department of Rural Health - Annual Report

16 MURRAY TO THE MOUNTAINS INTERN TRAINING PROGRAM NORTH EAST VICTORIA The Murray to the Mountains (M2M) Intern Program is now in its fourth year after an extremely successful first three years. The program currently has 10 EFT interns placed at Albury Wodonga Health for a core rotation in emergency medicine, Northeast Health Wangaratta for core rotations in emergency medicine, medicine and surgery and for non-core rotations in Cobram, Yarrawonga, Benalla, Bright and Mt Beauty. This program is providing the region with great exposure to young doctors working, training and living in Northeast Victoria for a sustained period of time increasing opportunities for recruitment. In 2015 The University of Melbourne, Rural Clinical School has supported the Murray to the Mountains Intern program by providing Director of Clinical Training services and education program governance support. The strengthening of this alliance has provided the program with access to high quality and experienced medical education specialists. Professor Julian Wright and Professor Bill Adam have become increasingly involved in the assessment of interns and the continuing improvement process of the Murray to the Mountains Intern Program education. All ten interns in 2015 have been extremely impressive. These interns have provided exceptional services to the communities where they are placed for the 20 weeks general practice rotation. The high quality education and teaching provided by the general practices practice has been a highlight of the program. All interns have provided extremely positive feedback for their supervisors and practice manger support and the experience provided in the general practice, health service and community. Of the 10 interns in the 2014 cohort five have remained in the region. These interns are currently completing their year as a HMO 2 at Northeast Health Wangaratta, Albury Wodonga Health or Goulburn Valley Health. Of the five 2013 interns two interns are undertaking GP registrar training in the region a further intern has spent the past 6 months overseas and will be returning to the region to commence GP registrar training in An intern from the 2012 cohort is currently completing her Advanced Diploma in Obstetrics (DRANZCOG) at Northeast Health Wangaratta. This intern has spent time in Yarrawonga as an intern and GP registrar. This intern will return to Yarrawonga to complete GP registrar training and provide obstetrics services to the community in The Murray to the Mountains Intern Program continues to take a regional approach to medical education and training. All towns involved in community placement rotations have hosted various education events for interns, general practitioners, medical students, nurses, ambulance officer and allied health professionals. This multidisciplinary approach to education and training is a highlight of the development of the program. The increased involvement of The University of Melbourne, Rural Clinical School has seen two Extended Rural Cohort students selected as M2M Interns for This has been a high priority for the Murray to the Mountains Intern Program and University of Melbourne, Rural Clinical School for several years. Murray to the Mountains (M2M) Interns Department of Rural Health - Annual Report 2015

17 RESEARCH AND RESEARCH TRAINING Research has continued to be a strong focus of the Department of Rural Health. Research is undertaken in three key areas, namely rural health workforce, rural chronic illness and culturally inclusive rural health care. Research on the first area, rural health workforce, has examined the ways in which we teach and mentor our students as well as recruitment and retention issues. Papers and posters in rural medical education were presented nationally and abroad in 2015, contributing to the evidence of rural medical education. We supported an international guest to facilitate local research into the recruitment and retention of GPs in northern Victoria. Professor David Schmitz visited from Boise State University, USA to work with Dr Daniel Terry to commence this study with 13 small health services in our region. Rural chronic illness, the second research area, has begun a range of projects including studies with health consumers, clinical audits of chronic disease management and projects investigating the care received by those with a chronic illness. Some have compared urban and rural differences, some have focused on patient experience or evaluated models of health care and others examined issues including obesity, ageing or mental health. In the final research area, culturally inclusive rural health care, issues facing specific groups of health consumers have been examined as well as the ways in which mainstream health services could be more inclusive for diverse patients/clients. The study of refugee consumers concluded while new projects working with local health services began, exploring their journeys to become more culturally inclusive. In 2015, a total of 35 peer-reviewed papers and 21 non-peer reviewed papers and reports were published by staff. Most of the papers focus on rural health issues, including chronic illness, ageing, workforce, sexual and reproductive health, youth and food security. A range of reports to stakeholders and consumers were also produced and three articles were printed in the National Rural Health Alliance magazine Partyline. Staff received 6 new grants in 2015, all focusing on rural health issues. One was an ARC grant with Flinders NT (Fly-in/fly-out models of healthcare), two focused on cancer in our region, one addressed workforce development in Cobram and one evaluates health promotion activities in Shepparton and one is evaluating a mental health program. These grants brought $307,500 to our region. Furthermore, two other funded projects continued (a consultancy to review health services in Violet Town and a Nursing Board grant for Childbirth research in Wangaratta). In addition, staff developed partnerships with local health services and submitted an NHMRC partnership grant application to conduct a large population health study. Aboriginal Health At the Department of Rural Health, Aboriginal research has increased. Ms Karyn Ferguson is an Associate Investigator on a $1.5m study funded by the NHMRC investigating improved outcomes for Aboriginal women and infants through models of maternity care. It is anticipated that results from this study will create policy and program changes in local healthcare institutions. Further, Associate Professor Jane Freemantle and Ms Karyn Ferguson are leading the development of a population data linkage project which will provide a baseline of evidence and contribute to a report card on the status of Aboriginal maternal and child health across the Goulburn Murray region. This proof of concept study requires partnership and collaboration with key agencies such as GVH, Kaiela Institute, Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative, City of Greater Shepparton, Njernda Aboriginal Co-operative, Echuca Regional Health, and Shire of Campaspe to link data sets. Ms Raelene Nixon and Ms Karyn Ferguson are leading a research project focused on the recent introduction of income management policies by the Federal Government. Shepparton is one of six sites across Australia where income management has been introduced as a money management tool for Centrelink recipients. The aim of this research is to investigate the experiences and give a voice to people who have been placed both voluntarily and involuntarily on income management in the Goulburn Valley. Other research initiatives led by the Aboriginal Health Team currently underway include investigations into the role of sport in education and health and improving the Aboriginal health workforce in the Goulburn Murray region. Medical Education There is no doubt that the Rural Clinical School provides a unique educational setting for our students. There are specific opportunities and challenges for both students and educators which lend themselves to evaluation and research. In spring of 2014 we appointed Ms Rebecca Caygill and Ms Mia Peardon as medical education researchers and 2015 has seen a significant amount of work in this field of research. With regard to our medical educators, we recognise that rural based medical educators do not have the same access to continuing medical education development opportunities as their metropolitan based colleagues. In view of this a Teaching Development and Recognition Program was piloted across our Rural Clinical School campuses to accredit our educators for their work and scholarly achievements in medical education. We have also developed a peer review process for our educators which began to be rolled out in To enhance the support we already offer students at our Rural Clinical School campuses, a program of community mentoring has been established. This program links students to members of their local communities with similar interests. This has been very much appreciated by participating students and has allowed students to get involved in many community activities they may not have had access to otherwise. Rebecca and Mia have also been hosting regular focus groups with Extended Rural Cohort students and other thirdyear MD students who have been training in medical specialties in traditional hospital rotations, to establish if there are differences in the learning experience of the two teaching programs. This was a two year evaluation which was completed in In addition to submitting several publications of their work towards the end of 2015, Rebecca and Mia have presented their research at several national and international medical education conferences. I look forward to the Rural Clinical School becoming increasingly recognised as a centre for medical education research in coming years. Department of Rural Health - Annual Report

18 RESEARCH AND RESEARCH TRAINING Mental Health The UDRH mental health project team has undertaken a number of initiatives focused on community awareness of mental health issues, promoting access to rural mental health services, the development of health professional mental health skills and support for student mental health training in rural Victoria. During 2015, 240 members of the community participated in events supporting mental health awareness and wellbeing, by promoting mindfulness and awareness of effective ways to address depression. In addition, more than 50 health professionals attended workshops addressing the mental health aspects of grief and bereavement. Other workshops held during the year focused on further developing rural mental health practitioners therapeutic skills. To further supporting mental health wellbeing and early recognition of difficulties, both Mental Health First Aid training and information sessions for senior secondary students have been undertaken. Access to mental health services continues to be a challenge in rural Australia. During 2015 we have contributed to addressing this issue by reviewing a project which involves the assessment of patients experiencing significant mental ill-health by a psychiatrist in their own community, avoiding the all too frequent barrier to care associated with travel to a larger centre for specialist services. Much of the patient and psychiatrist engagement was undertaken by video-conference, potentially supporting greater access to such services in rural and remote locations. The mental health project team has also contributed to training a range of students in rural mental health, including medical students, psychology students and research higher degree students. Rural Health Academic Network (RHAN) The Rural Health Academic Network (RHAN) is a direct link between the regional rural health workforce and the university. The RHAN team come from established clinical backgrounds and are embedded in our partner regional and rural health services in Wangaratta, Benalla and Echuca. RHAN works in a ground-up approach with the staff of these organisations and other health services within the region to develop a primary evidence base targeting local clinical dilemmas and in doing so, build knowledge and expertise in rural health. This year RHAN has continued to provided training and support to nurses completing their Practice Certificate of Nursing (RIPERN) at Cobram District Health. The RHAN team has also continued to work closely in project development assistance and ethical application support to rotational medical registrars to undertake research and development activities compulsory to vocational general physician and general surgical training an important contribution to assisting the development of specialist rural medical care. These medical registrar projects address identified local clinical issues such as care of acute coronary syndromes, uptake and success rates before and after implementation of dedicated VBAC program in secondary rural obstetric centre and palliative care of COPD patients. Health, Women s Health Goulburn Northeast and the City of Greater Shepparton a diverse range of local projects have been initiated and supported; with evidence translating into practice. Some examples include: Application of best practice guidelines in rural stroke rehabilitation Supportive care services for rural people experiencing cancer in Loddon Mallee and Hume regions Evaluation of antimicrobial therapy usage in community acquired pneumonia Evaluation of activities in the park program Shepparton Methods of identification of emotional distress in new fathers during routine antenatal care Evaluation of primary care domestic violence prevention in Benalla Development of psycho-social interventions for obesity management in Echuca Connecting care for patients with COPD, Heart and Failure and Type 2 Diabetes in Wangaratta and Benalla In the past twelve months RHAN has succeeded in attracting important financial outcomes and national recognition for the partner health services. $200,000 in new grant money came into the region through RHAN initiatives and collaborations. National recognition was achieved by the Telehealth in Rural Emergency Department s after-hour s project in the Hume region which was supported by the RHAN. The program was highlighted as an exemplar of health service and university partnership in rural health innovation by the Federal Member for Indi who recognised the project in parliament. The speech can be accessed at the following link: CathyMcgowanForIndi/posts/ The RHAN appreciates the support of our partners across the region and applauds their significant leadership in working with the University of Melbourne, through RHAN to improve the health of our communities. Research Training Not only do we undertake research, but we support others in the region to conduct their own research. Research training was provided to 104 health professionals in the region, including 24 allied health professionals, 16 nurses and 10 medical staff. Topics covered most aspects of how to undertake both a qualitative and quantitative research project. From project design, collecting data and using statistics and other methods to analyse the data. The program extended with how to write an abstract, present academic work and publish research papers. Overall, 95% rated the workshops overall as very good or excellent. In addition to this formal training, staff from the Department of Rural Health provide training, support and mentoring to individuals and teams undertaking research; by providing advice, feedback on projects and papers and input into questionnaires. In collaboration with broader community and primary health services including the Murray Primary Health Network, Gateway Community 16 Department of Rural Health - Annual Report 2015

19 Research Grants Title of project (and ERA grant category) Fly-in/fly-out workforce Evaluation of the Ambulatory Cancer Care Supportive Services Program Activities in the Park Mature workers add Value Cancer Survivorship Evaluation of Leading from Within Lead agency Funding source/s Funding period Value to UDRH Total value Flinders University Echuca Regional Health / Dept Rural Health (RHAN) Dept Rural Health (RHAN) Cobram District Health/ Dept Rural Health (RHAN) GVH/ Dept Rural Health (RHAN) Dept of Rural Health Australian Research Council Loddon Mallee Integrated Cancer Service (LMICS) Greater Shepparton City Council Nursing and Midwifery Workforce $6,000 $517,600 November 2015 July 2016 Dec 2015 Dec 2016 June 2015 Dec 2016 HumeRIC s June 2015 Dec 2016 Beyond Blue and Leading from Within Sept 2015 June 2016 $12000 $36,500 $10000 $10000 $15000 $70000 $10000 $90000 $25000 $25000 TOTAL $78,000 $749,100 Publications Referred Journal Articles Journal Article Adam WR, O Brien RC. Comment on A justification for less restrictive guidelines on the use of metformin in stable chronic renal failure Diabetic Medicine 32(11): DeWitt D, Dugdale DC, Adam WR. Nonglycemic Targets in Diabetes Medical Clinics of North America 99(1):187 Anderson R. An Investigation of Psychologists? and Medical Practitioners? Responses to Overlapping Relationships in the Context of Mental Health Care Journal of Community Medicine & Health Education 05(03 Bourke L, Best JD, Wakerman J, Humphreys JS, Wright JR. Reflection on the development of a research agenda in rural health Journal of Research Practice 11(1) Ervin K, Jeffrey V. Do Peer Leaders in the Workplace Improve Implementation of Self-Management Support Training? Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management 10(2):52-57 Ervin K, Koschel A, Campi S. Evaluation of preventative screening for chronic disease in a rural primary health service Journal of Primary Health Care 5(2) Reid C, Ervin K. Prevalence of adolescent violence in the home and service system capacity in rural Victoria Australian Journal of Primary Health 21(2): Ervin K, Reid C, Moore S. What Do Rural Dementia Caregivers Find Stressful? Open Journal of Nursing 05(04): Ervin K, Dalle Nogare N, Orr J, Soutter E, Spiller R. Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Rural Victorian School Children Journal of Primary Health Care5(2) Eaton S, Chubb D, Franzi S. Torsion of Fatty Appendage of Falciform Ligament: Acute Abdomen in a Child, Caroline Maccallum, Case Reports in Radiology, vol (2015) Haines HM, Baker J, Marshall D. Continuity of midwifery care for rural women through caseload group practice: Delivering for almost 20 years Australian Journal of Rural Health 23(6): Haines HM, Pallant JF, Fenwick J, Gamble J, Creedy DK, Toohill J, Hildingsson I. Identifying women who are afraid of giving birth: A comparison of the fear of birth scale with the WDEQ-A in a large Australian cohort Sexual & Productive Healthcare 6(4): Ternstrom E, Hildingsson I, Haines H, Rubertsson C. Higher prevalence of childbirth related fear in foreign born pregnant women - Findings from a community sample in Sweden Midwifery 31(4): Hurley JC, Nowak P, Öhrmalm L, Gogos C. Armaganidis A, Giamarellos-Bourboulis, EJ. Endotoxemia as a Diagnostic Tool for Patients with Suspected Bacteremia Caused by Gram-Negative Organisms: a Meta-Analysis of 4 Decades of Studies. Journal of clinical microbiology, 53(4), Hurley JC. Is selective decontamination of the digestive tract safe? Clinical Infectious Diseases, civ125. Hurley JC. Ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention methods using topical antibiotics: herd protection or herd peril? CHEST Journal, 146(4), Hurley JC. SDD and contextual effect. British journal of anaesthesia, 115(3), Hurley JC. ICU-acquired candidemia within selective digestive decontamination studies: a meta-analysis. Intensive care medicine, Springer Department of Rural Health - Annual Report

20 RESEARCH AND RESEARCH TRAINING Rubertsson C, Pallant JF, Sydsjo G, Haines HM, Hildingsson I. Maternal depressive symptoms have a negative impact on prenatal attachment - findings from a Swedish community sample Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology 33(2): Lambert SD, Clover K, Pallant JF, Britton B, King MT, Mitchell AJ, Carter G. Making Sense of Variations in Prevalence Estimates of Depression in Cancer: A Co-Calibration of Commonly Used Depression Scales Using Rasch Analysis Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 13(10): Pallant JF, Dixon L, Sidebotham M, Fenwick J. Further validation of the perceptions of empowerment in midwifery scale Midwifery 31(10): Costa DSJ, Aaronson NK, Fayers PM, Pallant JF, Velikova G, King MT. Testing the measurement invariance of the EORTC QLQ-C30 across primary cancer sites using multi-group confirmatory factor analysis Quality of Life Research 24(1): Pierce D, Ervin K, Pallant J, Terry D, Bourke L, Glenister K. A descriptive study of health, lifestyle and sociodemographic characteristics and their relationship to known dementia risk factors in rural Victorian communities. AIMS Medical Science 2(3): Reid K, Sutherland R, Dodds A, McNair R, Pierce D. Abdomen and chest examinations in peer physical examination: Variation in participation by gender Focus on Health Professional Education: A Multi-Professional Journal 16(2):13-13 McKenzie K, Pierce D, Gunn J. A systematic review of motivational interviewing in healthcare: the potential of motivational interviewing to address the lifestyle factors relevant to multimorbidity Journal of Comorbidity 5(1): Terry D, Glenister K, Kilmartin J, Kilmartin G, Sands R, Fowler J, Wright J. Glycaemic Control among Rural Health Consumers: A Retrospective Study of a Diabetes Center Advances in Diabetes and Metabolism 3(2):11-15 Quynh L, Hoang BN, Terry DR, Dieters S, Auckland S, Long G. Quantifying and visualizing access to healthy food in a rural area of Australia: A spatial analysis Food Security 7(5): Lê Q, Auckland S, Nguyen HB, Murray S, Long G, Terry DR. The socio-economic and physical contributors to food insecurity in a rural community SAGE Open 5(1) Terry DR, Lê Q. Challenges of working and living in a new cultural environment: A snapshot of international medical graduates in rural Tasmania Australian Journal of Rural Health 01 Jan 2015 Waite CJ, Bourke L. Rural young people s perspectives on online sociality: Crossing geography and exhibiting self through Facebook Rural Society 24(2): Waite C, Bourke L. Using the cyborg to re-think young people s uses of Facebook Journal of Sociology 51(3): Sep 2015 Freyer G, Kalinka-Warzocha E, Syrigos K, Marinca M, Tonini G, Ng SL, Wong ZW, Salar A, Steger G, Abdelsalam M, et al. Attitudes of physicians toward assessing risk and using granulocyte colonystimulating factor as primary prophylaxis in patients receiving chemotherapy associated with an intermediate risk of febrile neutropenia Medical Oncology 32(10):10 Report Bourke L, Terry D, Ervin K, Pierce D, Crouch A, Glenister K, Haines H. Health in Central Goldfields Community Report Health in Central Goldfields Community Report Department of Rural Health, Shepparton Bourke L, Terry D, Ervin K, Glenister K, Pierce D, Crouch A, Haines H. Health in Greater Shepparton Community Report Health in Greater Shepparton Community Report Department of Rural Health, The University of Melbourne, Shepparton Victoria Bourke L, Terry D, Ervin K, Glenister K, Pierce D, Crouch A, Haines H. Health in Moira Shire Community Report Health in Moira Shire Community Report Department of Rural Health, Shepparton Bourke L, Terry D, Ervin K, Glenister K, Haines H, Pierce D, Crouch A. Health in the Rural City of Wangaratta Community Report Health in the Rural City of Wangaratta Community Report Department of Rural Health, Shepparton Haines H. Emotional Health of Mothers and Fathers in a Northern Victorian Cohort Emotional Health of Mothers and Fathers in a Northern Victorian Cohort. 01 Jul 2015 Haines H, Dattakumar A, Kealey J, Gray K. Regional Emergency Department Telehealth Support to Urgent Care Centres After Hours in Northeast Victoria, Australia Regional Emergency Department Telehealth Support to Urgent Care Centres After Hours in Northeast Victoria, Australia. 30 Aug 2015 Book Chapter Muzoora M, Terry D. African higher education: The renaissance and reformation of language In Linguistics and Language Education in New Horizons: The Link between Theory, Research and Pedagogy Terry D, Lê T. Correct or global English: An instrument of social control or the great equaliser In Linguistics and Language Education in New Horizons: The Link between Theory, Research and Pedagogy. 3-1 Terry D. Critical discourse analysis as a research paradigm in language studies: The 2001 Howard campaign speech In Linguistics and Language Education in New Horizons: The Link between Theory, Research and Pedagogy Terry D, Yeoh JSW, Terry M. Language, ideology and identity: Education implications for Afghanistan In Linguistics and Language Education in New Horizons: The Link between Theory, Research and Pedagogy Yeoh JSW, Terry D, Terry M. Vocabulary teaching, learning and as a social practice In Linguistics and Language Education in New Horizons: The Link between Theory, Research and Pedagogy Department of Rural Health - Annual Report 2015

21 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS Community Engagement and Partnerships continues to be an important feature of the work at the Department of Rural Health. The Department held a total of 51 events for 2015 with nearly 5,000 people participating. During 2015 there has been a concerted effort to develop a systematic approach to capturing and reporting on the broad range of community engagement activities of the Department. This has resulted in a deeper understanding of the range and breadth of organisations that we engage with, the number of staff involved and, more importantly, gaps in relevant formal and informal partnerships and engagement opportunities. Staff commenced participating regularly in Meals on Wheels providing meals for the elderly. We held 10 public lectures across 3 sites in Ballarat, Shepparton and Wangaratta which were targeted at the general public. We also held 7 Research Skills Workshops and 3 Health Professionals Workshops targeted at health professionals. Staff and students ran a Teddy Bear Hospital and Health Checks at the Shepparton Show which again was very popular. Our Events Community Engagement and Alumni Administrator is on the committee for local career events Careers Day Out and the GV Rural Health Careers Workshop. The GV Rural Health Careers Workshop is held at the Department of Rural Health and GV Health in Shepparton. This was attended by 170 students from within a 100 kilometre radius of Shepparton who are interested in a career in rural health. Ms Di Doyle and Professor Lisa Bourke assisting the elderly with Meals on Wheels Department of Rural Health - Annual Report

22 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS Partnerships New Partnerships 1 January 31 December 2015 Partnerships University Based Student Survey Working Group National collaboration University of Melbourne Dept of Speech Therapy and Audiology Center for Health Policy, Boise State University Charles Sturt University Dept of Physiotherapy Flinders NT, Monash, University of Sydney, NT Government LaTrobe University University of Melbourne, Health Informatics Unit Dr Herbert Jelinek, CSU State Health Services Diane Ward - NHW Undergraduate Orientation & School Based Program Coordinator and Nurse Educator Dr Raju Lakshmana, GVH A/Prof Ravi Bhat, GVH Department of Health Senior Policy Advisor, Workforce Innovation and Allied Health St. Vincent s Hospital Physiotherapy Department Kyabram Health Service Ballarat Health Service Northeast Health Wangaratta Bendigo Health Physiotherapy Department and Ethics Committee Goulburn Valley Health Primary Mental Health Goulburn Valley Health, Cobram District Health, Benalla Health, Seymour Health, Primary Care Connect, Shepparton Access, Primary Care Partnerships Echuca Regional Health Shepparton Medical Centre Greater Shepparton City Council Primary Care Connect Aboriginal community controlled organisations Description of joint projects/activities University Department of Rural Health (UDRH) Student Evaluation Student Placements and Service Learning Health workforce recruitment and retention development among rural community health organisations Service Learning Fly-in/fly-out health care in remote NT (ARC funded research project PhD Project with Cobram RHAN coordinator Consent and Shared decision making in dementia care (Irene Blackberry) Mimmini Burri: Provide leadership in a proof of concept in the development of a linked data source that will provide an evidence base for the maternal and child Aboriginal population in the Goulburn Murray region Diabetes Complications Screening Initiative (DiScRi) proposal with Wangaratta Student and career pathways into health project Evaluation of a Consultation Liaison Psychiatry Model in a regional General Practice Medical Centre Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Implementation Program ERH ED Pilot Project Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Implementation Program ERH ED Pilot Project Culturally inclusive rural health care project Culturally inclusive practice training Summer Cadetship program Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Implementation Program ERH ED Pilot Project Development of a Goulburn Valley Area Mental Health Community Reference Group Crossroads Population Health and Undiagnosed Disease Study in Northern Victoria NHMRC Partnership Grant with these partners committing over $500,000 Mimmini Burri: Proof of concept for the development of a linked data source that will provide an evidence base for the maternal and child Aboriginal population in the Goulburn Murray region 29 members of the Yorta Yorta community in Shepparton Department of Rural Health Aboriginal Advisory Committee Viney Morgan Aboriginal Medical Service Biomedicine Chancellor Scholars student placement Njernda Aboriginal Health Service Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative Development of a model of Integrated Care Lulla s Early Learning Centre Providing access to health screening for all children at the centre and supporting school enrolment and transition of kindergarten children 20 Department of Rural Health - Annual Report 2015

23 Partnerships (continued) Kaiela Institute Rumbalara Aboriginal Health Service Aboriginal team at Federation University Viney Morgan Aboriginal Medical Service Other partners (eg community groups, local government, business) WestVic Primary Health Network La Trobe University Hume Simulation Alliance (HSA) St George s Road Primary School Gowrie St Primary School Mooroopna Park Primary School Loddon Mallee Murray Medicare Local Cobram Veterinary Clinic Cobram Physiotherapy Clinic St Joseph s School Cobram Cobram Farm Gate collaborative Cobram Tourist Information Loddon Mallee Integrated Cancer Services Indigo Health Consortium Karin Willcox and Bec Murphy Afghani community through Ethnic Council of Shepparton Pangarang Community House Shepparton High School McGuire College Wanganui Park Secondary College Goulburn Valley Grammar Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District Inc Catholic Care Sandhurst Description of joint projects/activities Mimmini Burri: Provide leadership in a proof of concept in the development of a linked data source that will provide an evidence base for the maternal and child Aboriginal population in the Goulburn Murray region. Cultural competency training RHAN Partnership Developing links with recently established organisation in approaches to rural mental health, population health and training Active partner in the HWA funded HSA which supports the delivery of simulation education to students and clinicians in multi-disciplinary scenarios as well as simulation education capacity building Service learning allied health placements Service Learning and other allied health student placements Allied health student placements Delivery of Advance Care Planning presentation to regional health professionals. Collaboration between Echuca Moama Family Medical Practice staff and Echuca Regional Health (ERH) staff. RHAN (CO) one of the presenters Biomedicine Chancellor Scholars student placement 1.Aboriginal Palliative Care Project 2. Supportive Care Project Launch of Client Journey Primary Health & Chronic Care, Hume Region Health, Department of Health & Human Services Know My Culture cultural development program Community education and cultural awareness Collaboration to encourage secondary school students to further their education by attending a university and heavily promoting Health Careers. All schools have agreed to 45 minute sessions with their yr 10, 11 and 12 students. Sessions aim to educate students about University education and available health career opportunities. Encouraging joining the rural health workforce Refugee Project. Collaboration with Ethnic Council to recruit local refugee members of the Shepparton Community for research purposes. Identifying access to health service barriers for Refugees new to Shepparton. To follow what can be done to address this, as well as community engagement Refugee Project. Collaboration with Catholic Care to recruit local refugee members of the Shepparton Community for research purposes. Identifying access to health service barriers for Refugees new to Shepparton. To follow what can be done to address this, as well as community engagement Department of Rural Health - Annual Report

24 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS Continuing Partnerships 1 January 31 December 2015 Collaborators University-based La Trobe University Charles Stuart University GOTAFE Wodonga TAFE Institute for Broad Band enabled Society University of Melbourne Uppsala University Sweden Department of Women s and Children s Health Karolinska Institute Department of Women s and Children s Health Griffith University Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery Monash University Victorian Cardiac Outcomes Registry Athabasca University - Canada State health services Northeast Health Wangaratta Goulburn Valley Health Ballarat Health Service Alpine Health Albury Wodonga Health Rochester & Elmore District Health Service Kyabram Health headspace Shepparton Echuca Regional Health Mansfield Health Cobram and District Health Service Benalla Health Indigo Health Upper Murray Health & Community Services Euroa Health Inc. Yarrawonga District Health Service Numurkah District Health Service Benalla & District Memorial Hospital Beechworth Health Service Cobram District Health Kyabram Hospital Waranga Campus, GVH Tallangatta Health Service Violet Town Bush Nursing Centre Rutherglen Hospital Seymour District Memorial Hospital Nagambie Health Care Education Administration support Yarrawonga Health Echuca Regional Health Goulburn Valley Health Northeast Health Wangaratta Description of joint project/activities Nursing and Allied Health Student Placements Joint partners Telehealth in Rural Emergency Departments (TIRED) project Joint partners on the Emotional Health of Rural mothers and fathers during pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting project Australian and New Zealand Midwifery Workforce Burnout study RHAN Support of training and ongoing compliance and data interpretation at NHW Professor Sharon Moore - Qualitative analysis of projects and co authoring Nursing and Allied Health Student Placements Health workforce recruitment and retention development among rural community health organisations Formal Agreements with health services to provide education administration to support medical and allied health student placements, research and professional development opportunities, student orientation and local support. Regular meetings are held with service providers and 6 monthly reports on activity provided to the University 22 Department of Rural Health - Annual Report 2015

25 Collaborators (continued) Medical Department, East Grampians Health Service Goulburn Valley Health Goulburn Valley Health and Ethics & Research Committee University of Melbourne, Shepparton Medical Centre Echuca Regional Health Service Northeast Health Wangaratta Benalla District Health Service Moira Health Alliance Alexandra Health Service Goulburn Valley Health Goulburn Valley Family Care Violet Town Bush Nursing Hospital Alexandra Health Service Darlingford Upper Murray Nursing Home Kellock Lodge Hume region Dept Health Ottrey Homes St. Vincent s Hospital Physiotherapy Department Primary Care Connect headspace Shepparton Bendigo Health Physiotherapy Department and Ethics Committee Department of Health Senior Policy Advisor, Workforce Innovation and Allied Health GV Rural Health Careers Workshop Description of joint project/activities Development of research skills through scholarly selective program that focuses on chronic health care conditions Project regarding needs of the diabetic clinic patients and renal clinic patients at GV Health Fully constitutional ethics committee participation Development of research skills through scholarly selective program that focuses on chronic health care conditions and Patient journey program Partners in the Rural Health Academic Network Jessica Prentice Research Project healthy eating for toddlers (RHAN partner) Jessica Orr Research Project Healthy Eating Hume Carol Reid Various Research Projects (dementia Carers, Adolescent Violence in the Home, Friendship Program) Jean McKinnon Strathbogie Health and Wellbeing Community Project Social Inclusion research project Dementia Friendly environment quality outcomes project Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Implementation Program ERH ED Pilot Project Barriers to inclusion of Refugee health consumers Consortium member Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Implementation Program ERH ED Pilot Project Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Implementation Program ERH ED Pilot Project A collaborative partnership between the Department of Rural Health - University of Melbourne, GV Health, City of Greater Shepparton, La Trobe University, GOTAFE, State Government, CVGT, Goulburn Murray LLEN and Rumbalara Health Service Rural Health Careers Workshop (held 28/5/15). 200 secondary students from Shepparton attended Aboriginal community controlled organisations Rumbalara Football Netball Club Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative Nursing and Allied Health Student Placements Support to community engagement and health initiatives Continuing support to the development of a men s mental health initiative for participants in family violence programs Department of Rural Health - Annual Report

26 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS Collaborators (continued) Description of joint project/activities Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative Support of NAIDOC Week Showbags and activities for 200+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative Kaiela Institute Professional bodies (eg Divisions of General Practice) Goulburn Valley Primary Health Network Continuing provision of advice to the coordinator of a men s mental health initiative for people undertaking community service orders Support to community based research Chronic Kidney Disease for GPs QI&CPD program ongoing development post change over from Medicare Local to Primary Health Network Hume Medicare Local RHAN member Director of Board of Governance until June 30, 2015 Other partners (eg community groups, local government, business) Greater Shepparton Health and Wellbeing Advisory Committee (HWBAC) Rural City of Wangaratta Committee member participation regarding ongoing health and wellbeing needs within the City of Greater Shepparton RHAN chair of Wangaratta Unlimited advisory board to council Gateway Community Health Healthy eating project (RHAN partner ) Goulburn Valley Primary Care Partnership Dementia Training Study Centre City of Greater Shepparton Alexandra Singers Vivienne Jeffrey Early intervention in Chronic Disease projects (RHAN partner) Renata Spiller & Nicole De Garre Research Project Healthy Eating Hume (RHAN partner) Kim Turner & Carol Reid Hume region Aged Care program (RHAN partner) and Multi Agency Network (Chair) Kirsty Bennett-Dementia Friendly environment quality outcomes project (RHAN partner) Belinda Connor/Tony Tranter - Activities in the Park evaluation (RHAN partner) Social Inclusion research project (RHAN partner) MD2 Medical student Logan Denny assisting at the GV Rural Health Careers Workshop Department of Rural Health - Annual Report 2015

27 Seminars and Public Lectures Date Topic Speaker Location 25th February 2015 Public Lecture Series Health Mind, Healthy Life Ms Michelle Trudgen 25 th February 2015 Chronic Kidney Disease Presentation Prof Julian Wright & Dr Robert Campbell 3 rd March 2015 Research Skills Workshop A/Prof Julie Pallant Conducting Research Interviews 16 th March 2015 Research Skills Workshop A/Prof Julie Pallant Program Evaluation 26 th March 2015 Health Professional Mental Health First Aid 14 th April 2015 Research Skills Workshop A/Prof Julie Pallant Ethics Application 5 th May 2015 Research Skills Workshop A/Prof Julie Pallant Questionnaire & Survey Design Department of Rural Health Wangaratta Department of Rural Health, Shepparton Department of Rural Health, Shepparton and Wangaratta Department of Rural Health, Shepparton and Wangaratta Department of Rural Health, Shepparton Department of Rural Health, Shepparton and Wangaratta Department of Rural Health, Shepparton and Wangaratta 28 th May 2015 GV Rural Health Careers Workshop Prof Julian Wright Department of Rural Health and GV Health Shepparton 2 nd June 2015 Research Skills Workshop Understanding the Statistics Reporting in Journal Articles 17th June 2015 Public Lecture Series Children in our Society Do we have a problem? 24th June 2015 Public Lecture Series Depression Time to Feel Better! What Works? A/Prof Julie Pallant Dr Peter Eastaugh Dr Anthony Jorm Department of Rural Health, Shepparton and Wangaratta Department of Rural Health Shepparton Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka Ballarat 27th July 2015 Maryborough Community Presentation A/Prof David Pierce Maryborough 29th July 2015 Shepparton Community Presentation Prof Lisa Bourke Department of Rural Health Shepparton 6 th August 2015 Research Skills Workshop Publishing a Journal Article A/Prof Julie Pallant Department of Rural Health, Shepparton and Wangaratta 12th August 2015 Wangaratta Community Presentation Dr Helen Haines Department of Rural Health Wangaratta 19th August 2015 Moira Community Presentation Ms Kaye Ervin Cobram District Hospital 1 st September 2015 Research Skills Workshop Working with focus groups 16th September 2015 Public Lecture Series Psychological Treatment of Anxiety and Depression 13th October 2015 Public Lecture Series Health Professional and Stroke Survivor 14th October 2015 Health Professional Workshop Health Professional and Stroke Survivor 12th November 2015 Rural Medical Education and Workforce: Think Globally with Local Evidence Dr Helen Haines Ms Justine Fletcher Ms Emma Gee Ms Emma Gee Dr Dave Schmitz Department of Rural Health, Shepparton and Wangaratta Department of Rural Health Shepparton Department of Rural Health Shepparton Department of Rural Health Shepparton Department of Rural Health Shepparton Department of Rural Health - Annual Report

28 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS Public Lecture Series Healthy Mind Healthy Life Ms Michelle Trudgen in Wangaratta University of Melbourne staff and medical students assisting at Careers Day Out Department of Rural Health - Annual Report 2015

29 Rural Student Health Clubs This year the University of Melbourne Rural Health Club Outlook has been extremely busy. The three main aims of the club are: 1. Informing and motivating rural high school students, including Aboriginal students, to consider a health course at University in a bid to address rural workforce issues 2. Supporting rural and Indigenous students during their studies through educational and social events 3. Engaging with the community where they are living, often through volunteer and charitable activities. The Rural Clinical school s students have continued to undertake rural high school visits and attend careers sessions etc. to encourage students into a health career and ultimately, hopefully, to contribute to the rural workforce. Many of the students attend the local Careers Day Out and run interactive sessions at the GV Rural Health Careers Workshop which is targeted at high school students interested in a rural health career. Students across all RCS sites have continued to contribute to their local communities with involvement in Orchestras, SES, St Johns, Theatre groups and sporting clubs. A group of about 25 MD2 & MD3 medical students, based in Shepparton and Ballarat have volunteered to do weekly one on one tutoring of local high school students which is run by The Smith Family through the senior secondary Learning Club. Students based in Shepparton and Wangaratta also held a Teddy Bear Hospital at either their local show or primary school to help youngsters overcome any anxiety when being seen by a doctor. Fundraising events for charities were held such as the Biggest Morning Tea, which was a great success. The Outlook student club also assists with the MD1 RCS tour across all 4 RCS sites, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton and Wangaratta; which is held over 2 days in March. Students were also involved with the 2 day MD2 ERC tour visiting Shepparton, Echuca, Cobram, Yarrawonga, Corowa, Wangaratta, Mt Beauty, Mansfield and Benalla. Rural events continue to be a fantastic way to bring the rural students across all sites together and to encourage community involvement. Events that have been held including the Rural Clinical School Rural Ball Secret Garden Party in Shepparton, which was a fantastic evening with students from all rural sites as well as metro students attending. In 2015 saw the inaugural Taste of Country series was held over the months of August-October. Wangaratta, Ballarat, Shepparton and Echuca all hosted picnic style events showcasing local produce. All four events were well attended and gave students the opportunity to share quality regional food that we might not normally be able to afford! Students assisted with health checks at the Shepparton Show 2015 Department of Rural Health - Annual Report

30 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS Student Community Engagement Campus Ballarat Bendigo Shepparton Wangaratta Parkville Activity Medical students participated in the Smith Family Tutoring program assisting VCE students one night a week for the entire year Student presented to local community at Meet Melbourne careers event Student presented to local community at Meet Melbourne careers event Medical students participated in the Smith Family Tutoring program assisting VCE students one night a week for the entire year Participated in the Good Friday Appeal Set up a University of Melbourne stall at the Shepparton Show and gave free health checks and advice to the general public Students spoke to year 10 students at Shepparton High School Speed Careering Attended Careers Day Out and spoke to current Year 10 students about career pathways Assisted at the GV Rural Health Careers Workshop Student presented to local community at Meet Melbourne careers event Several students involved in local STAG production - I love you, you re perfect, now change! Australia s biggest morning tea Spoke to high school students about careers in health and being a medical student Medical students introduced ourselves and described our hospital involvement, reasons for coming to the community, and participation in this community service Speaking to high school students about careers in health, being a medical student etc Students assisted at the University of Melbourne Open Day to around 50,000 prospective students Rural Clinical School medical student tutor every week for the entire year to VCE Smith Family students in Shepparton and Ballarat. 28 Department of Rural Health - Annual Report 2015