Medical students talk rural health training with Health Minister
Health Minister Dr David Clark was given an insight into rural health training as part of his visit to the Bay of Plenty recently .
The Minister spent time at Tauranga Hospital talking to staff , and also took the opportunity to visit the BOPDHB ’ s Clinical Trials unit . The selffunding unit within the Bay of Plenty Clinical School Charitable Trust , coordinates clinical research undertaken at BOPDHB and is held in high regard by research companies .
At the unit he also got the opportunity to meet Isaac Smith and Georgina Kiliffen , two fi fth year medical students who have been through the Rural Health Interprofessional Programme ( RHIP ) in Whakatāne this year .
This joint student placement initiative between the BOPDHB ’ s Clinical School , the University of Auckland and Health Workforce New Zealand was established six years ago to attract and retain health professionals in rural New Zealand .
BOPDHB Deputy Board Chair Ron Scott , medical students Georgina Kiliffen and Isaac Smith , Health Minister Dr David Clark , BOPDHB Chief Executive Helen Mason , Professor Peter Gilling , Dr Prue McCallum , Clinical Research Development Manager Charlie Stratton .
The fi ve week RHIP programme brings together students from a range of health disciplines including medicine , nursing , pharmacy , physiotherapy , social work , paramedicine , speech pathology , midwifery , occupational therapy and podiatry . The students live together in student accommodation and learn together looking at health through a rural lens .
For Isaac Smith and Georgina Kiliffen it ’ s been a highly valuable experience .
Isaac says he opted to go on the programme to gain a stronger understanding of the social , cultural , spiritual , and physical infl uences of the health inequities existing between Māori and Non- Māori in New Zealand .
He describes the cultural exposure he has had through the Whakatāne based RHIP programme as invaluable , and considers himself privileged to have spent time in such a beautiful part of Aotearoa .
Georgina says the multitude of experiences she had such as visiting several marae , local industry , and being on placement at Tarawera Medical Centre , alongside other health students gave a real insight into the health barriers and successes for people in the Eastern Bay of Plenty
On his social media post , the Health Minister thanked the pair for sharing their insights adding that “ it was obvious that they had thoroughly enjoyed serving and living alongside other allied health professionals in remote and rural settings .”
Former summer student at the forefront of Breast Cancer research
Four years ago Tauranga raised Olivia Burn was one of the first science students selected for the Clinical school ’ s Summer Studentship programme , today she ’ s part of a Malaghan Institute of Medical Research team , that ultimately could make a huge impact on New Zealand ’ s breast cancer survival rates .
Breast cancer is New Zealand ’ s third most common cancer and accounts for more than 600 deaths every year . Most of these deaths are due to breast cancer cells metastasising ( spreading ) to other parts of the body , most commonly bones and quite often this ‘ relapse ’ can occur years after the initial cancer treatment .
Olivia ’ s completing her PhD as part of Malaghan ’ s Cancer Immunotherapy team , looking at the potential for vaccines to stop the cancer spreading .
The Wellington based team is researching breast cancer vaccines in different combinations and conditions to try and create stronger protection across various organs . One of these vaccines seems to be quite effective at targeting the bone .
“ We want to know if these different vaccines protect different organs against breast cancer metastases that have HER2 – the target of the antibreast cancer drug Herceptin ,” says Olivia .
Olivia ’ s fi rst taste of health research was in the summer of 2013-2014 when she was selected for the BOPDHB ’ s Clinical School Summer Studentship programme .
A science student amongst a group of medical students , Olivia spent the summer talking to multiple sclerosis ( MS ) patients across the Bay . Working with Tauranga Hospital Neurologist Dr Andrew Chancellor , the research looked at the impact of the disease on the individual ’ s quality of life as it progressed .
Olivia says she has gone down the medical research pathway because she wants to be at the forefront of deepening our understanding of certain diseases and be involved in developing new drugs to address these .
“ Unfortunately , in the setting of breast cancer , our current clinical options are not effectively preventing cancer relapse . With my research I want to determine how we can harness the power of the immune system to combat these residual cancer cells and keep patients in remission .”
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Any loaned hospital equipment to Tauranga Hospital ’ s main reception .
Are You At Risk Of
PNEUMOCOCCAL DISEASE ?
If you are a smoker or have a chronic medical condition , you may be eligible for a clinical research study .
Researchers are studying an investigational vaccine to see if it could help fight infections that can cause pneumococcal disease .
You may be eligible to join this study if you are between 18 and 49 years of age and you have at least one of the following :
Diabetes , type 1 or type 2 Confirmed diagnosis of mild or moderate asthma Confirmed diagnosis of chronic heart , liver or lung disease AND / OR you are currently a smoker
The study doctor will review other criteria with you that may determine whether you can participate in the study .
Former BOPDHB Clinical School Summer student , Olivia Burn is now completing her PhD , looking at the potential for vaccines to stop cancer spreading . Photo supplied by the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research .
The Bay Of Plenty Clinical Trials Unit is recruiting now for a Pneumococcal Vaccine Study
Contact : Michelle Raitak , Research Nurse on 07 5575242 for more information