Extended Rural Cohort (ERC) Vs Bonded Medical Place (BMP)

[slothpomba]

I'm looking at medicine for one of my potential uni courses.

I was looking on the monash medicine website and there is ERC which i know makes you work basically in rural areas.

There is also, however, bonded medial places (BMP). The website basically defines it as: "Student accepting Bonded Medical Places will be giving permission for the government to require them, at the end of their training, to practice in a designated area of medical need."

Is this just another rural scheme in disguise?

Thoughts?

~Cheers, kingpomba.

[naved_s9994]

From my knowledge ... Yes, but ask vexX

[rhjc.1991]

Hi kingpomba,

BMP means that you have to work for 5 years in a place of doctor shortage. It does not have to be a rural area but most of time it turns out to be.

ERC means that if you have a rural background, you will be given an extra chance to study med. It is slightly worse than BMP in the fact that you are sent to Rural Clinical Schools which may affect your later career.

[vexx]

From my knowledge ... Yes, but ask vexX

haha

king- yeah exactly as rhjc said.
but emphasis on that 'doctor shortage' is different to a rural location as in, yes there are many doctor shortages in rural areas but there are also just outer suburb areas (not far from inner city) that you can work at which have doctor shortages. for example, i live in the inner suburbs and 20min drive is an area / hospital i can work at which is a 'doctor shortage' area, which was surprising to me as it's not too far away! and i wouldn't really mind working there..

[slothpomba]

Ah, yes thanks vex.

I actually looked into it more before other people posted and i found a very handy map and shared it with rhjc.

I found some other maps and long lists and tables on other websites but this one tops it.

I mean its technically for overseas doctors wanting to work in australia but im pretty sure its the same info.

I'm in the same situation as you, the area i live in is considered a district of workforce shortage and the closest hospital also falls into that area too (Sunshine hospital)

Map

[kazoospasm]

ERC means that if you have a rural background, you will be given an extra chance to study med. It is slightly worse than BMP in the fact that you are sent to Rural Clinical Schools which may affect your later career.

That's subjective, and depends on factors including which specialty you end up in. I would personally rather spend the majority of my clinical years at Bendigo & Sale than sign a contract restricting the places I can work 10+ years down the track.

[Glockmeister]

Hmm... some of the med friends seem to actually prefer their rural placements (which everyone has to do, the ERC folk just do more of them) over their urban placements as they get to do more.

[vexx]

Hmm... some of the med friends seem to actually prefer their rural placements (which everyone has to do, the ERC folk just do more of them) over their urban placements as they get to do more.

it's really all up to the person. just most people don't really want to be contracted to work in a rural area as no one knows how there live could change 15 years down the track.
yeah it's a good place to do learn/practice and such because as you said you get to do more, but not to live there for 5 years or even just working there for 5 years and driving out each day.
i don't think (& others) i will ever be up for this. and if i am, then i guess i will do it out of the kindness of my heart rather then forced by a contract.

[simonhu81292]

yep i agree with you
"do it out of the kindness of my heart " :smitten:
i guess in rural areas.. proficiency and experience is really important...learning at a hospital is really jusy relying on the technologies (that's my opinion)
 

[vexx]

yep i agree with you
"do it out of the kindness of my heart " :smitten:
i guess in rural areas.. proficiency and experience is really important...learning at a hospital is really jusy relying on the technologies (that's my opinion)
 

haha that last bit isn't exactly true but i get what your trying to say.

but yeah if you want to work in a rural location - your own choice - you'll be loving it and really enthusiastic, rather then forced and be the opposite. tbh, i'd be enthusiastic anywhere at this point

[simonhu81292]

yeah..maybe the last bit isn't true ...
i guess everyone sees a word different ...
but yeah ... our goals should still be the same
 

[slothpomba]

Technically the area ill be "forced" to work in, even covers the suburb i live in lol...you guys should look at the map BMP isnt all rural.

[vexx]

Technically the area ill be "forced" to work in, even covers the suburb i live in lol...you guys should look at the map BMP isnt all rural.

yeah exactly, as i said there is a suburb that is 20min away from me.
but perhaps in 15 years when you specialise those areas will all be 'non shortage' anymore.