Community-based practice program in a rural medical school: benefits and challenges.
BACKGROUND
Community-based education is a component of many medical curricula and may contribute to the solution of inequity in health services.


OBJECTIVE
This article evaluates a Community-based practice program (CBPP) conducted at Gippsland Medical School, Monash University. Students gain exposure to the community and conduct a community-based research project. The principal objective of the CBPP is to provide students with an opportunity to develop an interprofessional perspective on the application of social equity, justice and models of health interventions in the community.


METHODS
Students and representatives from community organisations (community educators) evaluated the CBPP using questionnaires, focus groups and interviews.


RESULTS
Students agree that participating in the CBPP improves understanding of community services, barriers and social determinants of health and the roles of health professionals. Community educators view the CBPP as a valuable platform for mutual learning for all parties involved, with students gaining real life experience. Challenges in the CBPP include formulating and conducting a research project and contextualisation of didactic material at community sites.


CONCLUSIONS
From this evaluation, based as it is on 1 year and limited data, we cannot unequivocally claim that the program fully meets its overall objective; however, there are positive outcomes and pointers to success.
Mudarikwa
Ruvimbo Sharon
RS
Gippsland Medical School, Monash University, Australia. rsmas1@student.monash.edu
McDonnell
Jacqueline A
JA
Whyte
Susan
S
Villanueva
Elmer
E
Hill
Robyn A
RA
Hart
William
W
Nestel
Debra
D
D002982:Clinical Clerkship; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012424:Rural Population; D012577:Schools, Medical; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires