Improving healthcare outcomes across the region

An array of health professionals gathered in Roma to drive improved health outcomes for the community.

INTERPROFESSIONAL EDUCATION: Medical professionals gather at the Roma Explorer's Inn. Picture: James Liveris

SOUTHERN Queensland Rural Health delivered international standard training over three days at Roma.

Southern Queensland Rural Health director Geoff Argus said the training was fantastic.

"We've pulled together a broad group of health professionals from medicine, nursing and a range of allied health professionals to engage in this training to drive health outcomes for the community,” Professor Argus said.

"It's absolutely critical that rural areas such as the southwest get access to this training.

"Most training happens in capital cities so this has been a great thing for us to be able to bring the University of Toronto out to Roma.”

Associate Professor Wayne Wilson, Dr Tim Smart and Greg Brylski. Picture: James Liveris

University of Toronto Innovative Program and External Development Lead Lynne Sinclair said the training has had an international focus on both interpersonal practice and education for more than 15 years.

"We feel we've had great success, it doesn't mean everyone has picked it up but people truly see the value and more importantly they've seen the changes in how it helps the carer and the communities that we serve,” Professor Sinclair said.

"What is critical, too, is we feel that we have such a synergy with Australian health care systems. We both have public and private and our ethics toward care and communities are also similar between our countries.

"By sharing similarities with your region here, it means in collaboration we can share and learn from each other, so that we all don't have to reinvent the wheel.”

Prof Sinclair said the event was a success.

"Roma is pretty awesome, and we are so grateful to be here so that we can experience more of the remote areas and hear from the people who work in these areas.”