Andrew Feehan

Andrew Feehan is originally from Shepparton and wanted his first clinical year to be in a smaller rural hospital. He was keen to have access to one-on-one teaching and to practice procedural skills. In his first clinical year at the University of Melbourne’s Rural Clinical School, Shepparton and Goulburn Valley Health, he saw his confidence and skill level improving faster than he expected.

“We tend to see the very common ailments such as airways disease, heart attacks, heart failure and managing chronic conditions and acute exacerbations of these conditions. Its good experience because it’s the ‘bread and butter’ of medicine that you are expected to be able to manage and treat. This also prepares us well for our exams where we are examined on the common things that we are expected to do at intern level.”

“I feel very lucky with the quality of teaching we have received and the willingness of the doctors to spend their time with us to explain things. Sometimes learning can be very spontaneous – you can be at the right place at the right time, and if a consultant sees you’re keen and motivated they might drag you along to whatever they are doing. So you get this additional experience that is in addition to what is part of the schedule.”

“I have had so much practice in procedural skills and developed a lot of confidence in approaching patients and speaking to them. It’s very easy to have access to patients who are very approachable and very accommodating.”

“I enjoy living in Shepparton and have joined the local gym and local SES to try to get involved in the community as much as I can, and assist with any accidents wherever the SES is called out.

“Involvement with the community is important. It makes you feel like you are a part of the town.

“Half the medical students in the course tutor every Wednesday night at the Smith Family.’’