From North Queensland to North Dakota

Harjyot was one of five recipients of the Lynn Kratcha Memorial Rural Bursary, offered to second year JCU medicine students interested in rural medicine.

She said the bursary gave her the opportunity to do an international rural elective.

“I thought the placement was a great combination of both of my passions: rural health care and travelling,” said Harjyot.

Harjyot spent four weeks working between a GP clinic and local hospital based in Harvey, North Dakota.

“Harvey is a very small town just like Cardwell, where I grew up, so it really felt like home.”

Throughout her rural placement, Harjyot was able to advance her skills with the opportunity to practice punch biopsies, cortisone injections and colonoscopies.

“I learnt a lot of things on my placement and that was mainly because of the philosophy that my supervising doctor had, which was ‘see one, do one, and teach one’. So whenever I was with patients and I had seen a procedure before, he would let me practice that procedure.”

Outside of clinical placement, Harjyot spent her time embracing the culture in the close-knit North Dakota community.

“I got to experience so many new things. I was able to fly a plane with the doctor's wife and I also went shooting, which was something I had never even thought of doing before.”

Working and living in North Dakota broadened Harjyot’s perspective on healthcare and the similarities and differences between the healthcare systems in the United States and Australia.

“It made me appreciate all the facilities we have on offer and the opportunities we get here in Australia. Sometimes those things can be lacking in the American healthcare system.”

The international experience has further cemented Harjyot’s intentions to pursue a career in rural medicine after graduation.

“I realised how much a small community appreciates you and how rewarding it is to be a part of a community where they care for you as well you caring for them.”

Harjyot was moved by the sense of community and the mutually caring relationship between doctor and patient.

“I could tell that the patients really did care about their doctor. I saw this during many consultations where the patients would ask about the doctor's health and his family.”

Since returning to Australia Harjyot still holds fond memories of her placement. She describes the experience as being invaluable to her skills, confidence and overall perspective of medicine.

“My personal development has increased exponentially. There were so many things I learnt, including how to be independent and adjust to a new community. It’s something that will resonate with me for years to come.”

The bursary was founded in 2001 by Dr Lynn Kratcha who was a rural doctor in North Dakota who undertook parts of his training in North Queensland.

Applications for the 2018 Lynn Kratcha Memorial Rural Bursary are now open. An information session will be held on April 24; further details available in students’ timetable on LearnJCU. For more information visit Lynn Kratcha Memorial Rural Bursary or contact Shama Mathew on medexams@jcu.edu.au.