Rural Health Continuing Education

The Rural Health Continuing Education (RHCE) Program, funded by the Australian Government, supports qualified health professionals living and working in the rural and remote Australia to undertake continuing professional development activities.

The RHCE program replaces the Support Scheme for Rural Surgeons (SSRS). Please visit the RHCE website for further information.

RHCE is a joint initiative of the Department of Health and Ageing and the Committee of Presidents of Medical Colleges.

Projects

The College has received funding for 2 years (2011 to 2013) for 3 projects (see below). For further information on any of the projects or to register your interest as a participant, please contact us.

Australian Indigenous Health and Cultural Competency Online Portal

This project will create an online portal that will link to/house professional development opportunities in relation to indigenous cultural competency and safety training, for example elearning modules, information sources, conferences, courses and workshops. The portal targets members of all medical colleges.

Australian Indigenous Health eLearning Modules

The project aims to support surgeons who care for Indigenous people in rural and remote locations. A series of elearning modules, incorporating reading material, case studies and a discussion forum, will explore issues associated with Indigenous health.

Rural Procedural Audit

The Rural Procedural Audit builds on the outcomes of the Rural Craft Group Audit, which assisted rural Fellows to electronically collect and collate audit data on 5 common procedures:

• colorectal cancer
• cholecystectomy
• breast cancer
• adult inguinal herniorraphy
• thyriodectomy

Fellows who contribute data receive individualised feedback about their surgical outcomes compared to established benchmarks for rural surgeons. This project aims to expand the number of procedures audited and build on the data set.

This project is a partnership between the College and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, the Royal Australian College of Ophthalmologists and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Please view the RPA flyer (PDF 1015 KB) for further information.

Acute Neurotrauma

Please visit the Acute Neurotrauma webpage for further information.

Intercultural Learning

A series of elearning modules will be developed to provide professional development in intercultural communication skills using examples from a range of cultures within Australia. These modules will provide information about recognising your own and other people's cultural expectations; communication styles; related values, beliefs and behaviours and skills for cultural adaptation. They will also include a range of activities to promote self-reflection regarding the impact of cultural issues on medical practice. The eLearning activities will support professional development in cultural learning for specialists, trainees and IMGs from all medical colleges, particularly those in rural and regional Australia.

Disclaimer

This project is a joint initiative of the Committee of Presidents of Medical Colleges and Department of Health and Ageing, and is funded by the Australian Government. Please note that the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons is solely responsible for the content of, and views expressed in any material associated with this project, unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Commonwealth.

Contact

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
College of Surgeons' Gardens
250-290 Spring Street
East Melbourne VIC 3002 Australia

Martina McKay
Telephone: +61 3 9249 1157
Fax: +61 3 9276 7432
Email: martina.mckay@surgeons.org

For Rural Procedural Audit:
Kylie Smith
Telephone: +61 3 9249 1237
Fax: +61 3 9276 7432
Email: kylie.smith@surgeons.org