Edition #5

June 2023

This is a bit of a NAIDOC Week/placement week special. Read on to hear a special editorial from 2nd year Miki on what it’s like to study as a First Nations student. And Kayla from 2nd year has penned some tips for you first years starting placement today. We’ve also got the usual wellbeing tips and a great review of the Riverina School coming up next month.

P.S. if you are looking for a cheap and easy winter meal this eggplant and chickpea slow cooker stew will give you yummy dinners for a week.

❤ National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for al

l Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. You can support and get to know your local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities through activities and events held across the country.

In the spirit of NAIDOC Week this edition is being edited on the lands of the Wamba Wamba, Latji Latji, Tatti Tatti, Waddi Waddi and Barapa Barapa peoples. Of whom we pay respect to elders past and present; sovereignty never ceded.

NAIDOC Week, July 2nd-9th

Studying medicine as a First Nation student - Mikayla Budda-Deen

As a First Nations medical student, I have a unique opportunity to support my local community and help address the health inequalities that fellow First Nations people face. I became interested in pursuing a career in medicine during my senior Aboriginal Studies classes, as I was increasingly concerned about the inequity in health care that continues to influence the health of First Nations people across Australia. My year 12 major project involved studying how Armajun Aboriginal Health Service and Inverell Community Health Service had been working to address the increasing rates of Aboriginal youth with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. I am aware that a lot more needs to happen to support effective lifestyle changes in a culturally safe way.

Whilst I am enjoying studying Medicine at CSU, being off country to study provides a challenge to me. This was one of my motivations in working with other First Nations students to create a First Nations Club at CSU, Orange. This club aims to provide more opportunities for First Nations students to practise and celebrate culture at university. Activities for this club include planning for NAIDOC week activities, International Day of World Indigenous Peoples, and potentially an open day for First Nation school students. Our club meets every month, and we are in the process of being an affiliated club and working towards expanding our club to other CSU campuses.

Fortunately for me, cultural learning has also extended to my placements. I have been placed in the Northern Rivers area, and we have had many cultural experiences that are embedded into our timetable. For example in year one we had Welcome to Country which introduced us to the local Gumbaynggirr people, who have recently been successful in their Native title claim for the Gaagal Wanggaan National Park at Nambucca heads. This year we also had the opportunity to go on a Cultural Eco Tour, Gaagal Yuludarla (Ocean Dreaming), at Scott’s Head. This tour exposed us to the creation stories of Scott’s Head as well as exposure to local bush tucker. Such experiences are central to learning the local culture and experiences of First Nations people.

I have also been fortunate that the Northern Rivers had two GPs that suited my interests in Aboriginal Health. These included Bowraville Health One and the Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS) in Nambucca, Darrimba Maarra Aboriginal Health Clinic. Both practices are very responsive to the needs of their local community in that they bulk bill their patients and provide care to First Nation patients. However, Bowraville Health One is open to First Nation and non-Indigenous peoples. Bowraville Health One provides local care options for clients with complex conditions who would otherwise be unable to travel to access appropriate health care.

My experiences at Macksville Hospital have also increased my understanding of cultural safety in health care. I am now aware of the significant role of the Aboriginal Liaison officer who has been working with staff in the Emergency Department to ensure that all First Nations clients that present to the ED can be seen in a timely and culturally safe manner and are less likely to leave without accessing health care or against medical advice then when she is there.

If there is one take-home message from my experience, It would be to ensure we are always practising culturally safe care. You could do this by learning more about First Nation’s culture by attending events such as NAIDOC week. It is also vital that we ask patients if they identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and are aware of support services that are available to help in the client’s healthcare journey, such as the Aboriginal Liaison Officer and other Aboriginal Health Care Workers who are available in hospital and community health settings.

Mikayla Budda-Deen

A word from CHARMS

Chookas for placement! That's all!

And amazing work everyone that donated in Vampire Cup! Everyone that didn’t donate you’re uninvited from Medball. Remember you can continue to donate year round, as well as register to donate your organs or your stem cells.

Opportunities

• Keep an eye out for the NRHSN's publication Cooee! coming out soon with heaps of inspiring stories and ads from stakeholders within.

• NRHSN Rural Health Webinar series:

  • Career Pathways in Rural and Remote Medicine

  • The Chronicles of Critical Care (a glimpse into the edge of life and death), 6th September

  • Register here!

• RMA23

  • Get involved with RMA23, ACRRM's rural med conference, this year in Iutruwita. Volunteer to attend for free or apply for the pres prizes or sponsorship here (closes June 30). Late October, speak to some of our students who spoke last year for more info!

• RDN Cadetship applications opening soon!

  • JUNE 27TH 3RD YEARS!!!!

  • https://www.nswrdn.com.au/site/cadetship

• Cultural Immersion July 7th-9th in Northern NSW

  • Hear from Indigenous doctors and participate in a bush tucker and medicine walk, an Aboriginal art workshop, damper baking and tasting. $170, but looks lit.

  • https://gpsn.org.au/2023/05/30/rural-cultural-immersion-2023/

• RACGP Rural Medical Student Bursary Award

  • Awarded to a medical student who is a member of a rural health students' club at an Australian university who submits the best essay (maximum 1200 words) a rural and remote health topic. Should be easy peasy for us; topic is to explore a family’s ability to access a specialised medical service over a 12-month period in an MMM 5-7 town.

  • Find details here

• NSW & ACT RACGP Faculty Co-opted medical student representative: EOIs open

  • Medical students are invited to submit a short (2 page) CV and statement outlining their interest in being appointed as a co-opted member of the NSW & ACT Faculty Council for consideration. Message Heidi for the full brief.

  • Please send your submission, or direct any questions to Mia Dhillon, State Manager, at [email protected]

What's On in Orange

• honestly i can’t be fucked this week guys, i don’t live in Orange and heaps of you are on placement rn

• Woodfired Eugowra: Aug 5th

Word from the sophomore’s mouth

If you're interested in contributing for next month's edition get in touch with Heidi on facebook or at [email protected]💗