Future Doctors Experience Aged Care on the Front Line

Future medical practitioners are getting a ‘first hand’ glimpse into the world of aged care, through a visiting student program run at Resthaven. 

"We have been facilitating this program for more than ten years, with excellent results," said Resthaven Executive Manager, Governance and Workforce Development, Wendy Morey. 

"We host fifth year medical students at our residential sites, where they spend time meeting and talking with residents, giving them a real life opportunity to interact with older people and also get a sense of a residential aged care home."

These visits allow medical students, who have often never been inside an actual aged care home, to better understand how aged care services are provided and to gain insight into the interdisciplinary nature of staffing.

To familiarise themselves with the aged care environment, students are given a tour of the site, to get an appreciation of both resident living and staff work areas.

The site Manager provides a briefing and Q & A session, which includes explaining the various types of issues experienced by residents, the opportunities and choices they have, how Resthaven works with them to support their dignity and differing needs, and the complex funding processes involved in not-for-profit aged care.

This is followed by morning tea with residents, and participation in a site activity (such as a craft or discussion group), where students have an opportunity to use their interaction skills with people much older than them.

"This is a really important part of the tour, as learning in a classroom cannot compete with real life interaction with older people – who will form a large part of their future clientele as practicing doctors," says Wendy.

The program started ten years ago with just two students looking through case files and reading notes.

It has now evolved into a fully immersive, interactive experience. Resthaven hopes it will give students an understanding and greater respect for older people.

Through the program, students have the unique opportunity to understand aged care at its best – they get to mix with residents, appreciate beautiful living environments, and develop understanding that, for many, life is indeed good in aged care residences.

Click here to find out more about Resthaven's aged care services.

Pictured: Medical student visiting residents at Resthaven Westbourne Park.