Medical Students Experience Rural Healthcare Reality in Dubbo
The Welcome Experience Orana, in partnership with the Sydney University Paediatrics Society (SUPS), coordinated the three-day immersion program designed to address critical regional healthcare workforce shortages whilst showcasing career pathways in rural medicine.
22 Sydney University medical students discover career possibilities beyond the city through immersive Orana region weekend.
Twenty-two medical students from Sydney University's Paediatrics Society spent the October long weekend experiencing rural healthcare firsthand in Dubbo, with many declaring it "one of the highlights of medical school."
Students participated in hands-on clinical simulations at the Rural Clinical School, toured Dubbo Base Hospital, and visited the Royal Flying Doctor Service to witness rural healthcare delivery across vast distances. The program balanced clinical education with cultural experiences, including a surprise evening tour of Old Dubbo Gaol and a networking dinner at The Orana Exchange, both cited as weekend highlights.
"The hospitality was truly amazing and really makes me more interested in rural practice," one student shared. Another noted: "I've been previously worried that going rural early in your career limits training opportunities, but how keen everyone was to show us their passion for rural practice eased that fear."
The innovative accommodation model saw students billeted with local families, creating genuine community connections whilst reducing program costs. Julie Webster, The Welcome Experience Local Connector for Dubbo, organised welcome baskets filled with local produce, including citrus fruit from her own garden, which were delivered to all students and host families. This personal touch exemplified the regional hospitality that resonated throughout the weekend, with students rating their hosted experiences 5 out of 5.
Dr Rory Hampstead and clinical staff from Western NSW Local Health District delivered simulation-based workshops covering paediatric emergencies, trauma management, and clinical procedures. First-year students particularly valued the hands-on learning: "As a first year who has never experienced a sim, I found it very exciting and felt I learnt a lot in little time."
The program's success extends beyond the weekend itself. Students expressed newfound confidence in rural career pathways, with one young Indigenous participant noting: "I want to be able to work rurally with mob and be a person patients feel culturally safe with and truly cared for."
The Welcome Experience Orana Coordinator, Alana Copelin, emphasised the program's strategic importance: "This partnership directly addresses our critical paediatric workforce shortage whilst creating ambassadors for regional practice. These students will return to Sydney with firsthand knowledge of what rural medicine offers, both professionally and personally."
With overwhelmingly positive feedback and requests for future programs, The Welcome Experience Orana and SUPS are planning to establish an annual rural exposure initiative, building a sustainable pipeline of healthcare professionals familiar with regional opportunities.
The Welcome Experience supports essential workers relocating to regional areas through a four-stage model: Attract/Decide, Prepare, Welcome, and Stay. The NSW Government-funded program operates across 55 local government areas, with Regional Development Australia Orana delivering the program across Dubbo/Wellington, Walgett and Bourke local government areas.The Welcome Experience is a free service for essential workers and families moving to the Orana region.
Find more information HERE or phone 0498 851 488.
