Medical students visit Ocean Beach surf club

Medical students from across the region visited Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club for two days in February as part of their medical field training.

"The Central Coast's future doctors swapped their scrubs for swimmers when they hit the beach for intensive emergency training," said Ms Louise Lambeth, who is both a Gosford Hospital research governance officer and one-time Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Resuscitation and Rescue coordinator.

The year 4 and 5 University of Newcastle medicine students, undertaking their clinical placement at Gosford and Wyong Hospitals, participated in a two-day orientation program designed to introduce them to some of the typical scenarios that might face them in the medical field.

"The Beginning Education At Central Coast Hospitals program is an initiative designed to introduce the students to both the Central Coast region and the clinical environment using medical scenarios relevant to coastal or remote locations.

"Delivered through the Central Coast Medical School, a partnership between the University of Newcastle and Central Coast Local Health District, the program is part of a new vision for medical student education on the Coast," said Ms Lambeth.

"The introduction of the program is symbolic of new beginnings for the Central Coast Medical School," said medical school clinical dean Dr Amanda Dawson.

"The camaraderie that will develop through teamwork during the program will establish long-term support networks between the students, doctors and the community," Dr Dawson said.

The students participated in training and demonstrations containing realistic emergency scenarios, using mock patients to challenge and develop their learning.

During the program, students had opportunities to learn how to stay safe in the surf, practise First Aid skills and teamwork with lifesavers from Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club - Katie Dixon, Aaron Camp, Jade Heber and Jordan Smith.

They "met a reptile or two" and learnt about the production of life-saving anti-venom of Australia's deadliest snakes and the funnel web spider, with a visit from The Australian Reptile Park.

"The aim of the program is to support the mental and physical well-being of our students.

"It is a sad truth that many health professionals struggle with mental and physical well-being, during their careers just like any member of our community," Dr Dawson said.

The program was supported by Surf Life Saving Central Coast and Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club.

SOURCE:

Media release, 21 Feb 2018

Louise Lambeth, Gosford Hospital