RHRI Small Grant Scheme: The Use of Virtual Reality Technology in Building the Rural Health Workforce

  • Osuagwu, Uchechukwu Levi (Recipient), Podubinski, Tegan (Recipient), Glenister, Kristen (Recipient), Ferdous, Hasan (Recipient) & Kabir, Ashad (Recipient)

Prize: GrantSuccessful

Description

Grant value: $50,000

The one-third of Australians who live in regional, rural, and remote areas have poorer access to health services than their metropolitan counterparts, with approximately 50 percent fewer health professionals per capita. As a result, there is a $6.5 billion rural health expenditure deficit which contributes to poor health outcomes for rural communities. Investment in programs that attract and recruit highly skilled and competent health professionals to geographical areas of need is essential for improved service delivery and health outcomes for people living in rural Australia. Rural communities support this investment as a priority; our partner, Bathurst Rural Clinical School (BRCS) recently conducted a community research forum where they asked community members to prioritize rural health research needs. The rural health workforce was in the top five community health priorities recognized and voted on by the attendees. Overall, the project aims to investigate whether a Virtual Reality (VR) experience increases interest in, and intentions for, a rural health career.
Degree of recognitionRegional
Granting OrganisationsRural Health Research Institute

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