Implementing longitudinal community-based health education using a sustainable change model

The University of Wollongong Graduate School of Medicine provides a 4 year graduate entry medical programme aimed at producing competent graduates with a vocation to serve in rural regional and remote Australia. This innovative programme includes a longitudinal integrated clinical placement for a full academic year in the third phase of the course. All students will live, learn and work in a rural regional or remote community and engage with all health services including primary care, hospitals and extended services. This initiative aims to extend the concept of community based health education and continuity of care as a core curriculum process.