As part the curriculum, UQ-Ochsner medical students are required to undertake a six-week clinical placement in Australia during Year 4.
Students have the opportunity to complete a rotation in Emergency Medicine and Orthopedics, Medical Specialties, Intensive Care, Ophthalmology and Anesthesia, or Rural and Remote Medicine.
The return to Australia placements allows students to utilise their clinical knowledge and skills learned after completing their third year of medical school in the United States at Ochsner Health, New Orleans, LA.
Students observe the similarities and differences in the way the two health systems operate and patients are cared for and have valuable experiences which are shared among classmates and colleagues.
Fourth-year medical student Ellen said a program like UQ-Ochsner really lets you see the benefits and the advantages to witnessing and working within different healthcare systems.
“You’re able to borrow the things from each system that you feel are useful and helpful, and bringing that into your own practice,” Ellen said.
Ansley a fourth-year medical student and president of the UQ-Ochsner Medical Student Association said as the world becomes smaller and healthcare more global, it’s important for upcoming physicians and people in training to understand that your system might not always be the best.
“This program has taught me that you need to keep an open mind and be receptive to the pros from other systems and how you can incorporate them back into your own,” Ansley said.
Ultimately, our students develop into well-rounded, open-minded physicians who have experience caring for patients on two continents.
Read more about the UQ-Ochsner MD program
Contributor
Jaclyn Najar is the Manager of Clinical Education at The University of Queensland, Ochsner Clinical School. Originally from Buffalo, New York she enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in 2002, serving twelve years as an engineer, conducting search and rescue and law enforcement operations. During the time of service, she completed both a Bachelor and Master in Healthcare Administration. In 2014, Jaclyn left the military and joined Ochsner Health as a Clerkship Coordinator, working directly in the Pediatrics and Psychiatry rotations. After five years as a coordinator, she became Manager of Clinical Education where she works closely with The University of Queensland to implement curriculum changes, provide support to Clerkship Coordinators and students; and work with the Personalized Learning Course to arrange elective placements for students. In 2020, she began a Master in Business Administration with Louisiana State University, Shreveport and completed that in 2022. Personally, she enjoys running and weight training and spends much of her free time at the softball field with her daughter.