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The University of Western Australia’s Rural Clinical School has won a prestigious 2007 Carrick Award for its Clinical Learning Embedded in Rural Communities Program.

The program was recognised in the Innovation in Curricula, Learning and Teaching category of the Carrick Awards, which acknowledge the vital contribution made by individuals and teams to the quality of student learning in Australia.

Head of the Rural Clinical School Professor Campbell Murdoch said the award reflected an outstanding team achievement in the school’s 10 regional centres, which accommodate 62 student doctors from The University of Western Australia and Notre Dame University.

“I congratulate all our staff and students who have worked hard to ensure this program has been and will continue to be a success,” Professor Murdoch said.

Professor Murdoch said the Clinical Learning Embedded in Rural Communities Program delivered a uniquely rural brand of clinical education, which was integrated in approach, case-based in teaching method, and firmly located in the generalist tradition of rural medicine.

“Its instructional design allows it to be rolled out in the most remote of locations independent of tertiary clinical teaching hospitals,” he said.

“In the five years of its operation, the program has nurtured 162 students, appointed 57 staff, created a rural specialisation and stimulated discussion about teaching and learning models for urban clinical education.”

The University of Western Australia first opened a Rural Clinical School in 2002 and last year joined forces with the University of Notre Dame to create the Rural Clinical School of Western Australia. Rural Clinical Schools now operate in Albany, Broome, Bunbury, Derby, Esperance, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Narrogin and Port Hedland.

When Prime Minister John Howard opened the Kalgoorlie headquarters of the Rural Clinical School of Western Australia in July, he saluted the young medical students and doctors who had found a passion to work in remote areas of Australia.

The Carrick Awards for Australian University Teaching and Programs that Enhance Learning will be presented at Parliament House in Canberra on November 27.

Media references

Professor Campbell Murdoch 0429 992 775

Simone Hewett / Sally-Ann Jones 61 8 6488 7977
(UWA Public Affairs) 0420 790 097 / 0420 790 098