Recently, drivers on Bay Road at Victor Harbor could have mistaken a staged crash for the real thing, with ambulances, paramedics and crews rushing to the scene. It was all part of Flinders University’s annual trauma simulation, giving medical and nursing students a taste of real-life emergency care.

Coordinated by emergency nurse and Interprofessional Educator Sarah Dawson, the event brought together SA Ambulance Service volunteers, paramedics and students to manage roadside accidents and handover patients to a simulated emergency department.

For third-year rural medical student (and local paramedic) Kimberley Dohnt, the day highlighted the importance of training in regional communities. “I’d encourage anyone thinking about becoming a doctor to give it a go,” she said.

Through the MD Rural Stream and SA Rural Medical Program, Flinders is helping to train the next generation of rural doctors right where they’re needed most.