1. Rural Clinical Placements for Medical Students
Dr Heledd Iago
Ysgol Feddygol Prifysgol Abertawe – Swansea University Medical School

2. 1 375 people doctor Background and context
Ranked 27/30 European countries – falling well below the european average of 1 doctor for every 290 people. 1
doctor

3. Rural Wales

4. of living and working in
Rural and
Remote
Health in
Medical
Eduation
enhanced
opportunities
to experience
medicine in these
areas, gaining
increased
knowledge
and
awareness
of the needs of Welsh
rural populations
aims to
raise awareness
of the
benefits
and
realities
of living and working in
rural and remote
areas

5. Rural and Remote Health in Medical Eduation RRHiME ’curriculum’
2 x ‘Learning opportunities in clinical settings’
2 x Clinical Apprenticeships
1 x Community Based Learning Placement
1 x Yearlong study
1 x Junior Assistantship
2 x Student selected clinical projects
Welsh for Medicine Language Course
Rural and
Remote
Health in
Medical
Eduation

6. Weighted heavily toward clinical/placement experiences
RRHiME ’curriculum’
Weighted heavily toward clinical/placement experiences
Rural and
Remote
Health in
Medical
Eduation

7. Rural and Remote Health in Medical Eduation
Swansea Graduate Entry Medicine students spend a total of
84 weeks
off campus
out on
clinical placement during their studies

8. Rural and Remote Health in Medical Eduation RRHiME
students preferentially sent to the more rural locations
based on ONS urban/rural landscape
Rural and
Remote
Health in
Medical
Eduation c

9. Rural and Remote Health in Medical Eduation What characterises a rural
placement?

10. Rural and Remote Health in Medical Eduation Location and/or
Experiences
Cannot rely on location alone.

11. Rural and Remote Health in Medical Eduation Core Experiences
Based on research by the Mid-Wales Health Care Collaborative *
Student-led / staff-supported
Broadens placement experiences and outlook on holistic care pathways
Optional yet enriching

12. RRhiME Core Experiences
Community Hospitals Role of GP as part of a wider team
Cancer care Palliative and end of life care
Telemedicine Teleconferencing
Paramedic first responders Air ambulance
Patient pathway Social/green prescribing
Welsh language Rural social activity

13. E-portfolio
Rural and
Remote
Health in
Medical
Eduation

14. Rural and Remote Health in Medical Eduation Diolch / Thank you