Prodded For Good Cause

Illawarra Mercury

Friday March 14, 2008

By COURTNEY TRENWITH

RON Mather has found the perfect way to ensure his potential future doctor is well qualified.

He has volunteered his body to be poked and prodded by students at the University of Wollongong's Graduate School of Medicine.

The students have taken his blood pressure, checked his throat for abnormalities and even felt for signs of breast cancer.

During simulated patient consultations, Mr Mather is given a false name and medical history and the outline of a medical condition he pretends he has.

While Mr Mather finds the exercise a fun way to contribute to the community - after all, he is helping to train the region's future doctors - the students are gaining invaluable experience learning on real life people rather than dummies.

"I have done a fair amount of volunteering and this has been the most rewarding," said Mr Mather.

The volunteer patient program had become an important aspect of preparing students for real life medical settings, program co-ordinator Isabelle Potter said.

Volunteers did not need to participate in invasive procedures and patients with real medical conditions also could assist during lectures.

Ms Potter said students received valuable feedback from the volunteers which would help them ease into medical settings after graduation.

Mr Mather, a former teacher, said he enjoyed watching the students grow.

"I was amazed at the knowledge the students had at such a short time in their learning," Mr Mather said.

"It's been interesting watching the development of the students ... their confidence has grown and their approach is so different."

Second-year student David Boers said the opportunity to learn on real people was invaluable.

"It makes it more real and I think it better prepares you," he said.

The school is only in its second year and with a new cohort of 80 students expected each year until capacity, the school needs more volunteers.

"We particularly want Aboriginal people, because there are major health issues in the Aboriginal community, so it would be good to reflect that, " Ms Potter said.

To volunteer phone 4221 5118.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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