The University of Western Australia brought together health and social care experts, WA Centre for Rural Health (WACRH) academic staff and community stakeholders to explore opportunities in health education and research in regional and rural Western Australia.
The workshop, at WACRH in Geraldton, focused on how UWA can strengthen its contribution to regional health outcomes through education, training, community engagement and research.
Participants discussed strategies to support health career pathways, enhance regional research capacity and promote equitable access to tertiary education.
The program featured panels and workshops on Aboriginal health education pathways, rural student engagement, building regional research and evaluation capacity, rural placements and service learning.
Community leaders and health professionals shared their visions for the future of health and discussed the opportunities and challenges of delivering programs regionally.
WACRH and the Rural Clinical School of WA, through the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training Program, have been in regional WA for over 25 years, supporting students to embark on careers in the regions.
The workshop built on that legacy, aligning with UWA’s Regional Strategy to ensure sustainable, culturally safe, and community-driven health education, training, community partnerships and research.
Professor Tim Colmer, UWA Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, thanked participants for the productive collaborations, which have delivered significant benefits to students and communities, and for suggestions made by participants to further increase rural and regional training and community engagement.
He also thanked the community members who generously participated on the panels and in the discussions.
Associate Professor Rohan Rasiah, WACRH Assistant Director (Pilbara), said the workshop was a reminder of the health academic expertise that exists in regional WA and how engagement with local communities supports the health and wellbeing of these communities.
“By embracing multiple health disciplines and working together, we can improve health and social care education and training pathways to better serve the needs and health of rural residents,” Associate Professor Rasiah said.
Building evaluation and research capability in regional WA was also recognised as essential to ensure best practice is maintained in programs for addressing the needs of regional and rural communities.
PHOTO: Some of the community panel participants with UWA staff at the UWA Regional Strategy workshop held at the WA Centre for Rural Health in Geraldton.