School of Rural Medicine
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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:
My advice for students is to actively look for opportunities to promote your research and to grab them when they come up.
Explore our medical student research projects from 2023 – 2024.
Meg Vickery and Belinda Green (WNSLHD Eating Disorder Coordinators)
Dr Catherine Keniry (Director, SRM Research and Evaluation Team – Charles Sturt University)
Saru Muchena and Faith O’Connor
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.
Dr Yann Guisard (Rural Doctors Network), Kris Battye (KB Consulting Aust)
Dr Catherine Keniry (Director, SRM Research and Evaluation Team – Charles Sturt University)
Heidi Anand
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.
Dr Jessica Biles, Dr Vanessa Wong (Charles Sturt University)
Claire Blair (SRM Research and Evaluation Team – Charles Sturt University)
Cameron Martin and Chloe Campbell
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.
Dr Peter Anderson (Charles Sturt University), Dr Timothy Kudinha (Western Pathology – Charles Sturt University)
Claire Blair (SRM Research and Evaluation Team – Charles Sturt University)
Jessica Skelly
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.
Dr Shannon Nott (RFDS)
Sally Butler (SRM Research and Evaluation team – Charles Sturt University)
Tammy Middleton
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.
Dr Clair Whelan (WNSWLHD, Central West Urology)
Dr Catherine Keniry (Director, SRM Research and Evaluation Team – Charles Sturt University)
Hewen Leathbridge and Adhish Yapa
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.
Dr Sabine Wardle (School of Social Work and Arts – Charles Sturt University)
Sally Butler (SRM Research and Evaluation Team – Charles Sturt University)
Rowena McGeoch
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.