Introduction to Remote Health Practice Program now Online

The Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC) has launched a suite of online clinical training modules designed especially for health professionals working in remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory (NT). The Introduction to Remote Health Practice Program (online) has been developed as a training resource to provide timely, high quality, orientation and learning materials for RAHC health professionals preparing to work in remote health clinics and services.

The first three online training modules to be launched are Chronic Disease Management, Communication and Education, and Mental Health.

 

A total of twelve modules including a further 6 clinical and 3 cultural modules will be launched through 2010. Each module has been developed to provide a basic introduction to the topic and to how key skills and knowledge are practiced and applied in the remote health setting.

 

Dr. Lisa Studdert, RAHC’s General Manager says,” The intent is to provide RAHC health professionals, many of whom have not had remote Indigenous primary health care experience in the past, with a resource that will enable them to improve their skills and knowledge and thereby better serve the communities and people seeking health services.”

 

“The program will be available to all past, current and new RAHC health professionals including general practitioners, registered nurses, registered midwives, dental health and allied health professionals to complement the face-to-face training that is provided on arrival in the NT.”

 

“RAHC sees the introduction of these online training modules as another phase in our effort to provide a strong and effective orientation and support system for health professionals coming to work in remote communities, often for the first time.”

 

Each module takes from one to two hours to complete and a health professional will have access to the program before their placement commences. It can also be completed while on location and will eventually be available on CD-ROM for those without internet access. The modules utilise a variety of learning strategies including reading materials, audio tutorials, self assessments and videos and also provides advice on extended reading, other resources and key references.

 

The modules have been developed to meet the criteria for professional development programs with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Royal College of Nursing, Australia (RCNA) with the point allocations determined by each respective college. RAHC will provide a Certificate of Completion to all health professionals that successfully finish each module.