Teaching mental health in a rural setting: A teaching and service model for medical students in a rural area

Learning Objectives

Developing a model of teaching and learning in a Rural setting with low levels of mental health services.

Developing a model of teaching medical students that includes skill development and service delivery in rural communities.

Background

Mental health skills are core to all rural practitioners but teaching Mental Health in rural areas is challenging.

The Tasmanian Rural Clinical School has piloted an innovative community based teaching model to provide an enhanced teaching and learning experience for students.

Students learn and utilise skills by contributing to triage services and by providing psycho-education to community based groups.

Simulated multi-disciplinary learning and small group teaching is embedded within the rotation in order to enhance direct experience, share varied learning and for consistency in assessment.