Reconciliation week was highlighted in the NTMP through the leadership of our students. Our ‘wear yellow’ focus raised funds for Children’s Ground, an organisation improving the future for First Nations people (mainly children) throughout Central Australia, the Top End and Melbourne and a screening of In My Blood It Runs for NTMP students and staff.
The challenges of health disparity relating to our history are a daily reality for students and clinical placement supervisors. We benefit from shifting the gaze slightly, to view the benefits of our diverse cultural experiences and being open to the stories and knowledge that we share. It is essential to hear from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people about their experience and hope for the future.
In the last month, Year 4 students have attended new cultural safety training sessions developed by Dr Elise O’Connor, Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine registrar in the NT. This pilot project helps students to consider how stereotypes, assumptions and ignorance can be challenged and reduced, to more effectively communicate in the health care setting. The project will evaluate the student’s experience of learning medicine in the NT and the importance of cultural training. We look forward to sharing the outcomes and ensuring that the MD supports all our students in the context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, and provides appropriate support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
The Ask the Specialist: Larrakia, Tiwi and Yolgnu stories to inspire better healthcare in the NT podcasts offer many examples of challenges in communication in our healthcare setting and perspectives on how to manage these.
On 26 May, our Regional Training Hub in Darwin held a highly successful careers evening for medical students and junior doctors. Over 100 people attended and participated in interactive sessions run by 16 specialty training booths. Dr Greg McAnulty has also commenced as the Medical Director of the Regional Training Hub in Central Australia.
Finally, Dr Arijeet Pal, graduate of the NTMP and now intern at Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospitals, has been recognised at the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) annual meeting for a research presentation on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease knowledge among patients presenting to RDH. Congratulations and thank you to the Respiratory team, for consistently supporting Advanced Studies and students in our program.
Associate Professor Emma Kennedy
RACGP | A/Prof in Medical Education & Training,
Flinders Medical Program (NT)
