title: Gaining a 'proper sense' of what happens out there: An 'Academic Bush Camp' to promote rural placements for students.
abstract: Undergraduates who undertake rural placements often choose a rural career. Reluctance from universities to send students to rural settings limits placement numbers. The Western Australian Centre for Rural Health (WACRH) invited allied health and nursing academics and clinical placement coordinators from Western Australian (WA) universities to an Academic Bush Camp. Based on situated learning theory, this camp modelled student programs through experiential learning and structured workshops. It aimed to build relationships and showcase innovative rural learning opportunities.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To build relationships and showcase innovative rural learning opportunities.
  
  
  METHODS
  An evaluation of a residential camp based on situated learning theory.
  
  
  METHODS
  The camp stated and finished in Geraldton, WA and was centered in Mt Magnet, WA a remote town 600 kilometres northeast of Perth.
  
  
  METHODS
  WACRH invited allied health and nursing academics and clinical placement coordinators from Western Australian (WA) universities.
  
  
  METHODS
  This camp modelled student programs through experiential learning and structured workshops. Online pre- and post-camp questionnaires included open-ended questions and questions on a 5-point Likert scale. Responses were analysed in SPSS 22 using descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Follow-up phone interviews six months later assessed longer-term reflections and changes in student placement practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  The main outcome measure was whether the camp met participants' expectations, and their knowledge about and interest in WACRH's programs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve academics from five WA universities and seven health disciplines attended. Nine had previously lived or worked rurally. The camp met participants' expectations and all would recommend the opportunity to a colleague. Many valued the interaction with community and clinical placement partners and would have preferred more of this. The camp increased awareness of WACRH's programs and benefits of longer rural placements and a service-learning environment. Six months later, participants' familiarity with WACRH's placement model, supports and staff had led to an enhanced willingness to place students.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rural academics can influence rural placement intentions by demonstrating the infrastructure, learning and academic support available. A camp experience increases metropolitan academics' awareness of rural placement programs and willingness to encourage student participation. Participants with rural backgrounds appeared more receptive to rural learning possibilities.
authors.affiliation: Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, School of Population Aboriginal and Rural Health Care, University of Western Australia, Geraldton, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Amy T
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2084-8469
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Page
authors.affiliation: Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, School of Population Aboriginal and Rural Health Care, University of Western Australia, Geraldton, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Sandy J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.affiliation: Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, School of Population Aboriginal and Rural Health Care, University of Western Australia, Geraldton, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Maeva
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.affiliation: Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, School of Population Aboriginal and Rural Health Care, University of Western Australia, Geraldton, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.affiliation: Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, School of Population Aboriginal and Rural Health Care, University of Western Australia, Geraldton, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Wayne
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Warner
authors.affiliation: Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, School of Population Aboriginal and Rural Health Care, University of Western Australia, Geraldton, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nattabi
authors.affiliation: Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, School of Population Aboriginal and Rural Health Care, University of Western Australia, Geraldton, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Sandra C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D002755:Choice Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017145:Models, Educational; D011231:Preceptorship; D011365:Professional Practice Location; D019035:Rural Health Services; D013337:Students, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014904:Western Australia
keywords: rural workforce development; student placement; teaching and learning; undergraduate teaching; workforce planning