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Breakout Session: Advocacy

Facilitated by Maddy Brown and JB Philibert

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For this session, you will be split into breakout groups of 3 - 4 people. Each group will be allocated a stakeholder.

A list of the possible stakeholders will follow.

Instructions...

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The task:

  1. In your groups, summarise (in your own words) the focus of this stakeholder group.

  • Brainstorm 5 ways in which your various Rural Health Clubs could engage with this stakeholder (e.g. guest speaker nights, publications, research, funding opportunities).

  • Choose ONE of these options and detail:
    1. How would you communicate / engage with the stakeholder?
    2. What key information would need to be communicated?
    3. What would be the benefits for your RHC versus those for the stakeholder?
    4. How could the NRHSN represent your RHC at a national level with the relevant stakeholder?

  • Create a one page summary slide to share with the group on return from the breakout room.

Instructions...

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  • National Rural Health Student Network (NRHSN)

  • Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM)

  • Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health (SARRAH)

  • Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA)

  • Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS)

  • Australian Medical Students Association (AMSA)

  • Allied Health Professionals Australian (AHPA)

  • Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA)

  • Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA)

  • National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)

  • Australian College of Midwives (ACM)

  • Medical Deans of Australian and New Zealand (MDANZ)

  • Country Women’s Association of Australia (CWAA)

  • Northern Territory Primary Health Network (NTPHN)

  • National Rural Health Alliance (NRHA)

The Stakeholders...

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“The National Rural Health Student Network (NRHSN) represents the future of rural health in Australia. It has more than 9000 members who belong to 28 university Rural Health Clubs from all states and territories...”

“We are the only multi-disciplinary student health network, bringing together people studying medicine, nursing and allied health, and encouraging them to pursue rural health careers...”

“The NRHSN has two main goals:

  1. To provide a voice for students who are interested in improving health outcomes for rural and remote Australia
  2. To promote rural health careers to students and encourage students who are interested in practicing in rural health care”

“The NRHSN executive advocate on behalf of health students of all disciplines to a number of stakeholders at a national level. Each year they have different priority areas, which could include increased rural placement opportunities, improved support for placements or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health...”

“The NRHSN and its Rural Health Clubs offer rural experience weekends, career information sessions and professional development activities as well as providing a social base for students at university and when on rural placement...”

Group 1 - National Rural Health Student Network (NRHSN)

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Stakeholder Summary:

Engagement Opportunities:

Group 1 - National Rural Health Student Network (NRHSN)

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“The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) is accredited by the Australian Medical Council (AMC) for setting professional and medical standards for training, assessment, certification and continuing professional development in the speciality of general practice...”

“We are the only college in Australia dedicated to rural and remote medicine, and we play an important role in supporting junior doctors and medical students considering a career in rural medicine...”

“We are committed to delivering sustainable, high-quality health services to rural and remote communities by providing:

  • Quality education programs
  • Innovative support, and
  • Strong representation of doctors who come from those communities...”

Group 2 - Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM)

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Stakeholder Summary: Training, professional development and support of doctors and medical students within rural areas

Engagement Opportunities:

  • Current engagement: sponsorship, merchandise, speakers at events
  • ACRRM research projects a part of MD program
  • Support teaching of students in rural/regional areas
  • Sharing on social media / newsletters

RHC Benefits: Expertise for members to participate in, support

ACRRM Benefits: Awareness, early engagement with students, pathway development for training,

Group 2 - Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM)

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“SARRAH is a grassroots organisation advocating on behalf of rural and remote Australian communities in order for them to have access to allied health services which support equitable and sustainable health and well-being...”

“SARRAH is also nationally recognised as the peak body representing rural and remote allied health professionals (AHPs) working in the public and private sector. SARRAH develops and provides services for AHPs to confidently and competently carry out their professional duties in providing a range of clinical and health education services to people who reside in these settings...”

“SARRAH’s representation comes from a range of allied health professionals, including but not limited to:

  • Audiology
  • Dentistry
  • Exercise physiology
  • Occupational therapy
  • Physiotherapy
  • Podiatry
  • Social work
  • Speech pathology”

Group 3 - Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health (SARRAH)

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Stakeholder Summary:

Engagement Opportunities:

Group 3 - Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health (SARRAH)

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“RDAA is the peak professional body representing the interests of rural and remote doctors and the communities they live and work in. We are committed to building and maintaining a workforce of highly skilled and motivated rural medical practitioners which requires adequate training and proper incentives, remuneration and support...”

“Special interest groups include:

  • Female Doctors Group
  • Rural Specialists Group
  • Residents and Registrars Group”

Group 4 - Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA)

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Stakeholder Summary: RDAA advocates for excellent medical care for rural and remote communities by supporting rural and remote doctors as well as the communities they live and work with.

Engagement Opportunities:

Guest speaker nights

Social media posts, e.g. instagram stories

Stories from specialists or female doctors in the newsletter

Promote their events on social media

Group 4 - Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA)

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“The Royal Flying Doctor Service is one of the largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisations in the world, providing extensive primary health care and 24-hour emergency service to people that live, work and travel across the 7.69 million square kilometres of Australia...”

“Our guiding values are:

  • Dedication
  • Integrity
  • Innovation

Group 5 - Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS)

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Stakeholder Summary:

Engagement Opportunities:

Group 5 - Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS)

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“The Australian Medical Students' Association (AMSA) is the peak representative body of Australia's 17,000 medical students. Our mandate is to connect, inform and represent medical students through national and grassroots advocacy, annual conferences, projects and publications...”

“2021 Priority Areas include:

  1. Improve medical student mental health and wellbeing
  2. Reduce bullying, discrimination and harassment in medicine
  3. Indigenous health, including increased recruitment and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical students
  4. Advance gender equity in medicine for women, trans and gender diverse people and more broadly in the areas of public health
  5. Reduce the health impacts of climate change through mitigation and adaption strategies
  6. Promote a sustainable training pipeline aligned to workforce demand by preventing an increase in the number of medical students and medical schools and increasing intake onto speciality training programs, especially in regional and remote areas
  7. Advocate for the provision of quality internship positions to all Australian-university trained medical graduates
  8. Improve the quality and flexibility of medical education in Australia”

Group 6 - Australian Medical Students Association (AMSA)

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Stakeholder Summary: Education and equitable representation for medical students through to junior doctors

Engagement Opportunities:

  • Information night with guest speakers- allow all medical students to be aware of how AMSA could represent them
  • Mentorship groups for different groups of students
  • Scholarship opportunities through AMSA
  • Have a student from RHC to be on the AMSA panel
  • NRHSN could do a paper with AMSA on how to get a more diverse number of junior doctors in rural areas

Communication

  • Liase through email/social media with them and the rural health division of AMSA
  • Data about what is currently happening with junior doctors in rural areas, to inform a joint paper with NRHSN and AMSA
  • Survey/focus group with medical students on what would incentivise them to work in rural areas

Group 6 - Australian Medical Students Association (AMSA)

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“Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) is the recognised national voice for allied health professions, representing and advocating for the role of allied health professionals in health, aged care, disability, education and all systems where allied health services have a role...”

“AHPA works to provide national leadership that shapes and supports the contribution made by allied health professionals to national health and wellbeing. As the peak national organisation for allied health professions, AHPA has an important strategic leadership role and is the body that the Federal Government and other national organisations turn to when they seek a collective view of allied health...”

Group 7 - Allied Health Professionals Australia (AHPA)

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James, Mia, Jade

Stakeholder Summary:

  • Peak Australian body for Allied Health Professionals, for 20 national allied health organisations
  • Staffing solutions (providing temporary and permanent placements to achieve personal and organisation goals)
  • Advocates for and collates views of Allied health professionals to the Federal Government

Engagement Opportunities:

  • AHPA to present at RHC events
  • Involving AHPA in short rural placements for allied health students
  • Linking with their social media, e.g. reposting their articles, opportunities
  • Providing student voice to AHPA for them to discuss with Federal Gov/governing bodies

Choose one - Providing a student voice/perspective

  • Engagement: contacting via email and then setting up a phone call
  • Key information: goal-setting (partnership, representing the student voice), communicate the role of RHCs/NRHSN and interest in partnering, how can they help?
  • Benefits for both parties: students (a national voice through an established body, another group to work with post-grad), AHPA (the voice of pre-vocational members)

Group 7 - Allied Health Professionals Australia (AHPA)

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“With over 29 000 members, the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is the peak body representing the interests of Australian physiotherapists and their patients. We are committed to professional excellence and career success for our members, which translates into better patient outcomes and improved health conditions for all Australians. Through our National Groups we offer advanced training and collegial support from physiotherapists working in similar areas...”

Group 8 - Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA)

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Stakeholder Summary:

Physiotherapists help you get the most out of life. They help you recover from injury, reduce pain and stiffness, increase mobility and prevent further injury. Physiotherapists, doctors, and other health professionals will often work as part of a team to plan and manage treatment for a specific condition.

Peak Australian body representing the interests of Australian physiotherapists and their patients. Aim is for professional excellence and career success for their members, which translates into better patient outcomes and improved health conditions for all Australians. They offer advanced training and collegial support from physiotherapists working in similar areas.

Engagement Opportunities:

  • Workshop - invite APA to assist a RHC workshop for all health students to understand how physiotherapists can assist with pt. Health
  • Invite to a speaker night/short course
  • Ask if they would sponsor a student to attend one of their professional workshops
  • Invite APA for chat with final year physiotherapy students to assist them in understanding transition to practice and what jobs are available
    • A) How would you communicate / engage with the stakeholder? - email/reach out through website
    • B) What key information would need to be communicated? - Tips about starting a new job
    • C) What would be the benefits for your RHC versus those for the stakeholder? - Students might join their membership upon graduation
    • D) How could the NRHSN represent your RHC at a national level with the relevant stakeholder? - Encourage engagement with the stakeholder

Group 8 - Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA)

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“AIDA’s purpose is to contribute to equitable health and life outcomes, and the cultural wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. We do this by striving to reach population parity of Indigenous medical students and doctors, and supporting a culturally safe healthcare system...”

“AIDA’s vision is for an Australia free from health and life outcome inequities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Indigenous health innovation exemplifies excellence in health and leads the nation in improving health and life outcomes for all Australians...”

“Our values are to:

  • Be respectful to our connections to the past, present and future
  • Pursue social justice, Indigenous and human rights
  • Maintain cultural integrity, honesty, transparency and respect
  • Foster the highest standards of professionalism and excellence...”

Group 9 - Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA)

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Stakeholder Summary:

Organisation that aims to address inequalities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians by supporting Indigenous medical students and doctors, and establishing policy changes

Engagement Opportunities:

  • Invitations to events - Indigenous Health Conference
  • Regular meetings regarding policy and advocacy i.e. asking for guidance and support around changing Indigenous Health curriculum
  • Sponsor students to attend AIDA events i.e. Roadshow and Conference
  • AIDA Awards: Indigenous Doctor of the Year & Indigenous Student of the Year
  • Research project support and guidance
  • Speaker requests for events

Working together to support Indigenous students and improve Indigenous health curriculum

Group 9 - Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA)

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“The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) is the national leadership body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health in Australia. Our organisation provides advice and guidance to the Australian Government on policy and budget matters while advocating for community-developed health solutions that contribute to the quality of life and improved health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people...”

“We represent our members – 143 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) that operate in over 300 clinics across Australia, delivering holistic, comprehensive and culturally competent primary healthcare services. These ACCHOs are initiated and operated by local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The sector is the largest employer of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia, with well over half of its 6,000 staff being Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander...”

“The work of NACCHO includes:

  • Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations
  • Policy development and advocacy
  • Specific projects and programs
  • Events”

Group 10 - National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (NACCHO)

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Stakeholder Summary:

Engagement Opportunities:

  • Research opportunities
  • Information nights
  • Target strategy 4

Group 10 - National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (NACCHO)

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“The Australian College of Midwives (ACM) is a national not-for-profit membership organisation and the peak professional body for midwives in Australia.”

“Together we are working towards building a resilient midwifery workforce for the future by advocating for the profession at a government level, promoting the benefits of midwifery care to the wider community and ensuring midwives in Australia are supported with industry information, quality education, career development and personal support through all stages of their career.”

“Our vision is to enable strong and confident midwives...”

“Our mission is to position and profile midwifery as the primary profession for quality maternity care...”

Group 11 - Australian College of Midwives (ACM)

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Stakeholder Summary:

Engagement Opportunities:

Group 11 - Australian College of Midwives (ACM)

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Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand Inc (Medical Deans) is the peak body representing professional entry-level medical education, training and research in Australia and New Zealand. Our members are the 23 medical schools across the two countries, whose focus is on planning for, developing and supporting the medical graduate workforce our communities need.

Our priorities include:

  • Leadership and innovation in medical education and training
  • Future medical workforce planning
  • Growing and supporting the Indigenous medical student workforce
  • Advancing medical research
  • Addressing inequities in Indigenous health and opportunities
  • Increasing access to medical care in rural and regional communities

Group 12 - Medical Deans of Australia and New Zealand (MDANZ)

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Stakeholder Summary:

Engagement Opportunities:

Group 12 - Medical Deans of Australia and New Zealand (MDANZ)

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The CWAA advances the rights and equity of women, families and communities in Australia through advocacy and empowerment, especially for those living in regional, rural and remote Australia...”

Engagement Opportunities:

  • Keynote speaker for events
  • Morning tea
  • Scholarships, Grants and Funding Opportunities
  • Fundraising event
  • Skills/info night
  • Assisting with ‘Hospital Support’ - handicraft for emergency packs, rugs, teddies, etc
  • Cookbook - quick and easy recipes for university students!

2021 Rural and Remote Nursing and Midwifery Scholarship Webinar

Contact via email and social media

About CWAA, how RHC can contribute, health student opportunities/support

Key benefits: achieving CWAA objectives and support RHC and health students

How could NRHSN represent RHC event: Social media promotion

Group 13 - Country Women’s Association of Australia (CWAA)

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Stakeholder Summary:

Engagement Opportunities:

Group 13 - Country Women’s Association of Australia (CWAA)

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“NTPHN is the Rural Workforce Agency for the Northern Territory. We commission primary health services for the Northern Territory, working closely with clinics and other providers to deliver the health care that Territorians need...”

“As the Rural Workforce Agency, we also recruit and support health professionals like GPs, practice nurses, and Aboriginal Health Practitioners to live and work in the NT...”

“Our six priority areas are:

  1. Mental health
  2. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
  3. Population health
  4. Health workforce
  5. Digital health
  6. Aged care...”

Group 14 - Northern Territory Primary Health Network (NTPHN)

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Stakeholder Summary:

Engagement Opportunities:

Group 14 - Northern Territory Primary Health Network (NTPHN)

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“The National Rural Health Alliance (the Alliance) comprises 43 national organisations committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the 7 million people in rural and remote Australia. Our diverse membership includes representation from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector, health professional organisations, health service providers, health educators and students...”

“The Alliance provides a united voice for people and health professionals living and working in rural communities and advocates for sustainable and affordable health services. Our most important role, underpinned by our broad representative base, is listening to the people of rural, regional and remote Australia and taking their views to government...”

Group 15 - National Rural Health Alliance (NRHA)

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Stakeholder Summary: sustainable and affordable health services in rural and remote areas - engage with communities and healthcare workers/services

Engagement Opportunities:

  • Email - free for a call
  • Align views and values, clearly convey issue - make it unique to them
  • Tell them how they can assist, give a timeline for completion
  • Benefits for stakeholder - sustainability in healthcare -> access to health students will ensure this sustainability

Group 15 - National Rural Health Alliance (NRHA)

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