Engaging students in evaluation and advocacy for curriculum change

Mr Timothy Bromley, Australian Medical Students’ Association, Australia*

Context: Students, as the consumers of medical education, are arguably best placed to evaluate their delivery models and techniques. Student-run organisations provide an essential voice in planning future health systems and particularly medical and health professional education. There are many ways in which students may provide this evaluation, including on an individual basis and through organisational structure. As an individual who has spent a considerable amount of time on placements in rural communities in a variety of specialties, the author has been able to develop many techniques in providing feedback to clinicians. In addition, as a member of multiple executive committees, the author has been involved in providing change in organisation and education delivery.

Objectives: Provide a framework for consulting students and student organisations providing evaluation of medical education delivery.

Key Messages: It is well known that the current rural health workforce is ageing and near considering retirement. Educating the next generation of health professionals to ensure they are interested in entering rural practice requires careful consideration of the delivery of rural medical education. There are multiple points in the rural pipeline during medical school, and failure to make full use of these is wasting valuable opportunities for recruitment.

Conclusion: Student evaluation is integral to developing a comprehensive rural health curriculum at a university and local level, and student engagement and consultation with this evaluation will ensure it is as fruitful as possible.