More than 60 students from medicine, allied health, nursing, and Aboriginal Health Practitioners met in Katherine recently for a three-day course – the Remote Health Experience.

The program gave students an insight into the rewards and challenges of remote health work. They learned how to cannulate, treat a snake bite and problem solve in remote medical emergencies. The program involves a wide range of stakeholders including CDU, Batchelor Institute, NT PHN, IAHA and St John NT.

Students and staff were also privileged to hear and learn from the Banatjarl Strongbala Wimun Grup, who provided knowledge of Aboriginal culture and customs.

Deputy Dean Rural and Remote Health NT, Professor James Smith, thanked those involved in the planning of the event, especially the Katherine team.

“This was a great example of how interprofessional learning can be fostered with medical, nursing, allied health and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners,” Professor Smith said.

“Close to 100 people were involved in this event. Tailored remote health experiences like this help to grow a competent and culturally-responsive local NT health workforce.”

Katherine-based lecturer Franceska Edis said the weekend was about building relationships between professions and helping students understand the complexities that come with remote work.

“For a lot of students from interstate they are not aware of Aboriginal Health Practitioners, students were unaware of the scope of the role, the demands on the person and what they can do,” she said.