A longitudinal evaluation of the Rural Clinical Placement Program at the University of Sydney Dental School.
Eur J Dent Educ
; 23(1): e59-e70, 2019 Feb.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30358039
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Australia has a lack of dental practitioners in rural and remote regions. This study evaluates the impact of a Rural Clinical Placement Program (RCPP) offered to final year students at the University of Sydney (USYD) Dental School on the graduates working locations. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
University of Sydney students who graduated between 2009 and 2013 (n = 404) were invited to complete a telephone interview. One hundred and thirty-five graduates were interviewed, 90 RCPP participants and 45 non-participants.RESULTS:
The majority of graduates interviewed were from a metropolitan background (87%), 47% were female, 77% worked full time, and 70% were employed in private practice. A higher proportion (33%) of the RCPP participants were working in rural Australia compared with 18% of the non-participants. The graduates reported that the RCPP was a high-quality program with excellent rural clinical supervisors, provided broad clinical dentistry; they met appreciative patients and enjoyed the rural lifestyle.CONCLUSIONS:
The RCPP was a valuable and positive experience with many considering it as a highlight of their dental education. A large proportion reported the program positively influenced their employment location choices, and a higher proportion of the RCPP participants were identified as working rurally, compared to the non-participants.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Professional Practice Location
/
Schools, Dental
/
Students, Dental
/
Rural Health Services
/
Education, Dental, Graduate
Type of study:
Evaluation_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
Oceania
Language:
En
Journal:
Eur J Dent Educ
Journal subject:
EDUCACAO
/
ODONTOLOGIA
Year:
2019
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Australia