07-03-2022
Millie Caspers from the NSW Rural Doctors Network has described the recent two-week placement in the Upper Lachlan Shire by Richard Teh as an engaging, educational, and memorable experience for Richard.
“Based on Richard’s feedback this placement was incredible – from authentic and engaging clinical exposure to the social and community activities including being so warmly welcomed into the community,” she said.
“This placement was obviously a huge success as evidenced by [Richard’s feedback].”
Richard, a medical student, was placed in Crookwell and Gunning with no prior experience or knowledge of either township.
“Overall, the bush bursary experience was an amazing opportunity that I would highly recommend to anyone considering a career in rural health, or even those that want a taste of it,” he said.
Starting his first week at Crookwell Hospital Crookwell, Richard participated in community health, rehabilitation, acute and emergency services and wellness, and was able to gain experience in cannulating, catheterising, giving IVs, sub-cut injections and triaging.
In addition to his hands-on health care experience, he also received some hands-on country experience in the form of being rammed by a sheep, and he was also stung by a bee.
Richard started off the second week in Gunning where he accompanied Dr De Silva with whom he got to work on skin excisions, paediatric health, and community visits.
Tuesday and Wednesday were spent with Dr Lisa Opie who provided a lot of helpful information and a range of presentations followed by two days at the Health Care Centre, accompanying Dr Jenna and the practice nurse Kristen, witnessing a variety of presentations and procedures.
But the experience or being a rural doctor wasn’t limited to medical and health placements.
“While not working I got to experience some of the beautiful country-side that the area has to offer,” Richard said.
“Before and after work I went on several long runs and joined the local gym where Aaron the owner was very welcoming. I ate out at both the middle pub and the RSL club for dinner, and by the end of the trip managed to discover where the best coffee in town was.’
In his time off, Richard also enjoyed the Laggan Markets and took in a range of other local activities.
Richard said he would like to thank not only the health care professionals he was fortunate enough to work with, but all members of the community who made him so welcome, and added that he would not hesitate to recommend both the Bush Bursary experience, and this part of the world, to anyone.
“The community out here made me feel so welcomed and I found the more I put myself out there and asked to help the more I got out of it,” Richard said.
“It was also evident to me how important our roles can be in these rural towns and how valued the healthcare team was by members of the community.”