Student research

As part of your medical degree at Charles Sturt, Doctor of Medicine (MD) students are required to complete a scholarly research project. We refer to this as the 'MD project'.

The Research team is responsible for supporting students to source a range of research projects and to supervise you through your research experience.

You must individually develop, address and report on an original question or project aim that is relevant to the Rural Clinical School (RCS) that you are based at for the clinical years (Years 3-5).

Projects can be developed in one of six areas. The research must aim to achieve improvement in rural health outcomes. Within the context of rural health, your project may be in one of the following areas:

  • Clinical medicine.
  • Community health.
  • Health innovations.
  • First Nations health.
  • Health education.
  • Biomedical sciences.

View the Doctor of Medicine Project Program brochure

The research process

Process for student Doctor of Medicine research projects

Student MD projects

Explore our medical student research projects from 2023 – 2024.

  • Audit of re-admissions for eating disorder consumers (patients)

    Project supervisors

    Meg Vickery and Belinda Green (WNSLHD Eating Disorder Coordinators)

    Dr Catherine Keniry (Director, SRM Research and Evaluation Team – Charles Sturt University)

    Students

    Saru Muchena and Faith O’Connor

    Project description

    The project is investigating the rate of readmission to hospital for anorexia nervosa patients, and will include a mixed methods approach – quantitative audit of WNSWLHD data, and qualitative methods involving semi qualitative interviews with both readmitted patients and their carers to better understand reasons for re-admission. The purpose is to provide information to the LHD on the experience of people experiencing eating disorders.

  • Building a rural generalist workforce – Mental Health Pathways

    Project supervisors

    Dr Yann Guisard (Rural Doctors Network), Kris Battye (KB Consulting Aust)

    Dr Catherine Keniry (Director, SRM Research and Evaluation Team – Charles Sturt University)

    Student

    Heidi Anand

    Project description

    It is well documented that people living in regional, rural and remote Australia typically have reduced access to health services when compared to metropolitan Australia. The unique challenges faced by rural communities, such as geographic isolation, limited healthcare infrastructure, and workforce shortages, have a significant impact on the delivery of healthcare in both specialised and general medical fields.

    This research aims to examine the existing Rural Generalist Mental Health training pathways by undertaking a mixed method approach, which will involve a pathway mapping process and semi-structured interviews with trainees and/or graduates of the Rural Generalist Mental Health training pathway; from ACRRM or RACGPP.

  • Lived experience of Aboriginal early career clinicians

    Project supervisors

    Dr Jessica Biles, Dr Vanessa Wong (Charles Sturt University)

    Claire Blair (SRM Research and Evaluation Team – Charles Sturt University)

    Students

    Cameron Martin and Chloe Campbell

    Project description

    This project aims to investigate the unique experiences and perspectives of early career First Nations doctors to gain a more informed understanding of what constitutes a culturally safe workplace. It is hoped that the findings of this study will help to inform local priorities and state strategies such as strengthening Aboriginal workforce, in particular the NSW Aboriginal employment strategy and NSW Aboriginal Health Plan 2013-2023.

    Participate in the project

  • The prevalence of MRSA carriage rates in healthy rural people

    Project supervisors

    Dr Peter Anderson (Charles Sturt University), Dr Timothy Kudinha (Western Pathology – Charles Sturt University)

    Claire Blair (SRM Research and Evaluation Team – Charles Sturt University)

    Student

    Jessica Skelly

    Project description

    This study aims to contribute to the growing body of knowledge and build on what is already known regarding Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus infections and carriage of MRSA in a healthy rural population.

    It is hypothesised that the prevalence of multi-drug resistant properties in MRSA isolates grown from samples taken from a healthy population in rural Australia with be consistent with the published values.The study aims to build on the current understanding of antibiotic resistance in MRSA via genetic sequencing and to identify any significant multi-drug resistant strains of MRSA.

  • Royal Flying Doctor service audit

    Project supervisors

    Dr Shannon Nott (RFDS)

    Sally Butler (SRM Research and Evaluation team – Charles Sturt University)

    Student

    Tammy Middleton

    Project description

    In 2020/2021, the RFDS South-Eastern section (RFDSSE), composed of Broken Hill, Dubbo & Bankstown was active in 1,296 emergency evacuations.

    To date, descriptive analysis of retrievals completed by the RFDS is scarce, with only two of the seven sections (WA and OLD) publishing data on emergency retrievals performed for their operations. To gain an understanding of emergency retrievals completed in Western NSW, a retrospective descriptive analysis of fixed wing aeromedical retrievals requiring the attendance of a medical officer from the Dubbo RFDS base will be undertaken as an MD project. This information will provide RFDS managers with information to streamline rosters and maximise staff proficiency through the identification of educational focus areas. Ultimately this will improve emergency care delivered by the RFDS to rural and remote communities.

  • Rural bladder botox experience

    Project supervisors

    Dr Clair Whelan (WNSWLHD, Central West Urology)

    Dr Catherine Keniry (Director, SRM Research and Evaluation Team – Charles Sturt University)

    Students

    Hewen Leathbridge and Adhish Yapa

    Project description

    Botulinum toxin type A (BOTOX® - Allergan Australia Pty Ltd) is currently approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia for treatment of both neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) and idiopathic overactive bladder syndrome (IOAB).

    These syndromes are characterised by urinary urgency and incontinence resulting in decreased quality of life (QoL) and increased financial burdens. The proposed study will examine the changes in QoL outcomes among patients, their main reasons for withdrawal from therapy, and barriers to accessing this life-changing treatment. Understanding of barriers and reasons for withdrawal from treatment may help rural urologists make this treatment more accessible for rural people affected by urinary incontinence.

  • Virtual reality therapy in rural palliative care

    Project supervisor

    Dr Sabine Wardle (School of Social Work and Arts – Charles Sturt University)

    Sally Butler (SRM Research and Evaluation Team – Charles Sturt University)

    Student

    Rowena McGeoch

    Project description

    The use of virtual reality (VR) is increasing in palliative care. However, despite a rising interest in the use of the technology for this purpose, little is known regarding the uses and efficacy of VR treatment in patients requiring palliative care who are living in rural communities.

    To identify and map the available evidence regarding the uses and efficacy of VR treatment in rural patients requiring palliative care, a scoping review is being undertaken as a 2023-2024 MD project. Findings will provide insight into the potential effectiveness of VR therapy in treating physical and psychosocial issues among palliative patients living in a rural areas.

  • Other research projects