Students from the School of Health Sciences are putting theory into practice, while creating first hand connections with the local community at Western Sydney University’s UniClinic.
Based at the Campbelltown campus, the training facility for undergraduates offers podiatry services, traditional Chinese medicine including acupuncture and new adult speech pathology services to the general public at reduced rates with no referrals required.
Students attend the clinic for regular shifts from second year to fourth year, starting in an observational capacity and working their way up to student lead in a consultation, all while being overseen by fully qualified clinicians.
Cristie Thomas, placements and UniClinic coordinator said the clinic provides an opportunity for students to receive hands on experience that directly aligns with their subjects, while being supported by academic staff.
“Students are obtaining their experience in a modern environment with up-to-date technologies, including electronic records management that align with industry standards and are offered real experience and a preview of what their working life may include once graduated,” said Ms Thomas.
“The UniClinic allows the students the opportunity to engage with the local community from wide varied backgrounds enforcing not only technical skills but also the soft skills required to become a good practitioner who is able to support people from all walks of life.”
Dr Belinda Kenny, director of the speech pathology academic program within the School of Health Sciences said that the speech pathology team are incredibly excited to be able to offer adults affordable, timely, and high quality health services to optimise their communication and swallowing skills.
“Western and its students are truly representative of the community in western Sydney, so we understand the rich cultural and linguistic diversity of this region, as well as the priorities of many community members who face barriers to accessing high quality health services,” Dr Kenny said.
“That’s why we’re so proud that we can help our own community members to access these services in the UniClinic, while educating the next generation of speech pathologists to build a collaborative, sustainable, and local health workforce for western Sydney and beyond.”
Third year bachelor of podiatric medicine student Elena Alagha visited the clinic last year as a patient before starting shifts at the beginning of this year.
The 21-year-old from Liverpool has been providing basic podiatric treatments but said that the greatest skill she has learnt is communication with patients of diverse demographics.
“I have learned that being friendly, open, engaging and an active listener wins the love of patients and better rapport can be built during the consultations,” said Elena.
“I have also learnt to be accountable, responsible and disciplined through proper time management and following clinic procedures. I engage with cultures that are different to my own and I meet people of different backgrounds and experiences, increasing my social capital.”
Treating patients ranging from the elderly to school aged children has become second nature to 27-year-old Nathan Forgach of Bellevue Hill who is in his fourth and final year of his bachelor of podiatric medicine (honours).
Providing a broad range of services within a podiatrist’s scope of practice, Nathan said he feels better prepared to enter the workforce after graduation.
“We undertake general skin and nail care, diagnosis and management of skin and nail conditions, increasing patient’s function and mobility through therapeutic modalities such as footwear, orthoses, soft tissues massage and dry needling,” said Nathan.
“We also assist in chronic disease management for conditions such as diabetes with regular neurovascular assessments and lower limb care to prevent further deterioration of the already high risk patient.
“I feel confident in myself and my abilities to assist in improving the health and overall well-being of the greater population, while also educating them on the importance of regular lower limb care to improve their daily mobility, satisfaction and functioning.”
For more information on the UniClinic or to make an appointment, call 4620 3700 or visit here.
