Territory medical students invited to explore options at Medical Expo
The interactive, free event offers opportunities to build knowledge and practice in areas such as suturing, resuscitation, cannulation, ultrasound, diagnostic games, and even Rorschach tests.
Running for its seventh year, the event hosted by Flinders University's NT Regional Training Hub, will take place on Tuesday, June 3, from 5:30pm.
This year, 25 organisations, including 12 national medical specialty colleges such as the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, will be taking part in the event.
It follows after Flinders University welcomed its largest ever cohort of medical students this year.
Professor Robyn Aitken, Dean of Rural and Remote Health at Flinders University, said it was an invaluable opportunity for medical students to speak with specialists and employers about their options.
'This is a chance for students and junior doctors to explore their options, ask questions, and gain insight into the many medical career pathways available right here in the NT,' she said.
Students said expo helped them understand 'what kind of doctor they want to be'
Students who have attended past expos said it has been very helpful in shaping their career path.
Loni Schramm, a third-year medical student currently on placement at Alice Springs Hospital, attended the event in 2023 and 2024.
Remembering the hands-on skills, she said she particularly enjoyed performing punch biopsies on chicken thighs with pathologists and learning how to use ophthalmoscopes to examine eyes.
'We were all impressed by the simulation stations, especially seeing consultants and retrieval doctors demonstrate advanced life support techniques like CPR in mid-air and how to intubate,' she said.
'But it wasn't just about the skills — the chance to speak directly with hospital consultants, remote clinicians, and other leaders in the field helped me understand what kind of doctor I want to become.'
While in Alice Springs, Loni, who is also president of the Central Australian Remote Health Student Society, is now exploring rural generalist training pathways and hopes to work in remote NT communities in the future.
It is expected that around 100 students, junior doctors and health service staff will attend this year's expo in Darwin.
Those attending will also be entered into a prize draw. One of the top prizes includes a City Cave Complete Wellness Experience valued at $209, featuring a float therapy session, infra-red sauna, and massage.
The expo is on Tuesday, June 3, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm in the ground floor foyer of Menzies School of Health Research, Royal Darwin Hospital.
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