Bonded Medical Places (2 Viewers)

[funnybunny]

it's definitely 6 years..not 22..i hav no idea where the 22 came from either..
ps; u can read the contract online at the department of health and aging website
i hav no objection to the rural entry scheme..i actually think the concept is quite fair,
but i know of some ppl who got in through the rural scheme, but aren't actually "living" in rural areas....they have gone to boarding school in sydney for the past 6 years... i thought the rural entry scheme was established to give a fair go for the country folk who do not have a lot of access to education, school, etc as city folk do......maybe the govt/uni should consider changing the entry criteria so that students who have been educated and live in rural areas can only apply.....

 

[+Po1ntDeXt3r+]

it's definitely 6 years..not 22..i hav no idea where the 22 came from either..
ps; u can read the contract online at the department of health and aging website
i hav no objection to the rural entry scheme..i actually think the concept is quite fair,
but i know of some ppl who got in through the rural scheme, but aren't actually "living" in rural areas....they have gone to boarding school in sydney for the past 6 years... i thought the rural entry scheme was established to give a fair go for the country folk who do not have a lot of access to education, school, etc as city folk do......maybe the govt/uni should consider changing the entry criteria so that students who have been educated and live in rural areas can only apply.....

definately..

but the way that the criteria fits.. its to let ppl return to their communities ... like ppl at boarding schools usually return home during breaks..

conversely ppl in that situation are also disadvantaged as they arent privvy to the social support of a person living at home

personally i think it should realli lean more towards ppl with greater rural ties as they are more disadvantaged..

 

[Rach_10]

6 yrs undergrad
1 yr internship
2-3 yr residency
6 yrs specialising
6 yrs service in a designated area

so all up, approximately 22 years, taking into account time for residency. possibly less if training is undertaken in shortage areas.

What I find ironic is that although this is designed to send people basically to rural areas, we spend the majority of our training until we are roughly into our early-mid 30's in city areas.

The problem I think then lies with, if married, do I uproot my family to work in this area? what if my partner is someone who's occupation is reliant on the demands of a city? If I have children, what about their education? Also taking into account that, as a female, one would presume that you would take the yr leave after giving birth, which then adds another year onto the length of the contract.

How are we expected, at the age of 18 to be able to be so certain of what direction we want our lives to take?

Like everyone who has been offered a place in med, I worked damm hard at school with the dream that it would lead to a sense of opportunity and above all, the freedom to choose where I want life to take me. One could say that if med were the only dream I ever had, the only thing I could ever imagine doing, then go for it, sign away.

But, is this what it takes to get an education in our country? A contract for those desperate enough to do medicine that they would sign anything - probably those who would make brilliant doctors, or a contract for the rich, as how can any student who pulls out mid-way through the course (after the first year) be expected to repay the debt in 6 years whilst presumably undertaking another degree?

 

[+Po1ntDeXt3r+]

i think the problem is the image of planning 22 yrs in advance..
i realli only see 16-18
6 med school
2 PGY
3-4 GP registrar.. (do most of it in areas of shortage)
then 3-4 more

rural practice is VERY rewarding... especially as a GP..
im on CSP and im tempted to go rural.. just because of the culture and the communities .. u are truly able to form a great bond.. and do wat medicine is about.. independence and communication..

~60% of medical graduates will be GPs..

if u were sumfing else.. lik a physician.. then its realli only that long cos u made it.. and again only 6 yrs in an area of workplace shortage... not just rural cos physician shortages are nationwide.. and the places are controlled.. (u cant buy ure way into a fellowship )

What I find ironic is that although this is designed to send people basically to rural areas, we spend the majority of our training until we are roughly into our early-mid 30's in city areas.

this comment i feel is the most misinformed.. if u went to medschool ud have clinical placements that are rural and from areas of workplace shortages.... and frankly they are the most interesting ull have.. im sure inasero has had similar experiences.. rural practitioners are in a league of their own.. they are super resourceful..

honestly.. i think bonded place.... yes they are unfair.. but the Govt need a guarantee from their investment.. if u can convince them of a better way... im sure most of us are all ears..

medical students cost the Aust Govt: ~$75-$90K/course/person
law costs them: ~$6-7K /course/person

nationally there are 1000 grads a yr.. its why all the new places are full fee.. cos economically its unfeasible to be govt assisted.. there is a need with an aging population.

we all want that dream.. how we get it is dependent on what comforts we want to give up... u could repeat 1 yr and try again... go interstate.. etc..

 

[mervvyn]

Something that I only found out about a few days ago, although it's not really relevant to what's been said so far: anyone on CSP or BMP working in a RRMA3+ gets 1/5 of their HECS cancelled per year (only working, not studying) or refunded if already paid upfront. This is obviously good for BMP people because the odds are fairly high for working a least a few years in a RRMA3+.

 

[funnybunny]

wow...almost 50 rural students are allowed in through the rural access scheme to unsw undergrad med...i was totally blown away by the sheer number!!..i would hav thought around 10, mayb not even that..

 

[Rach_10]

are you a rural student?

 

[funnybunny]

nup...y? are YOU?..lol

 

[Lexicographer]

Something that I only found out about a few days ago, although it's not really relevant to what's been said so far: anyone on CSP or BMP working in a RRMA3+ gets 1/5 of their HECS cancelled per year (only working, not studying) or refunded if already paid upfront. This is obviously good for BMP people because the odds are fairly high for working a least a few years in a RRMA3+.

Nah, this doesn't take effect on BMP students until after their contractual obligation is fulfilled.

 

[Rach_10]

yes

 

[funnybunny]

who are u anwyays?

anwyays i retract my inital comment "people should question when students with uai/ENTERs less than 95 get in to some medical schools. " .i may have offended some ...sorry ...i was wrong ,,.many including rual and bonded ppl are smart/know a lot at UNSW.

 

[NightShadow]

apparently its been trialed in other countries and has directly lead to young doctor suicides... just what i heard... probably take it with a grain of salt... but the point is still there... make your choice wisely? otherwise at the end of the day... you're going to waste alot of time

 

[Rach_10]

apparently there has been a similar type thing in canada where doctors had a choice but virtually couldn't make a living if they chose to go against what the govt wanted them to do. lots of doctors stopped practicing and took up other work - I've heard of taxi driving as an example.

i agree with nightshadow - make it wisely. i guess the issue lies in the question of whether a 17 or 18 year old can really comprehend what could happen in 12-16 years time? if you get it wrong you're in a bit of trouble i suppose...