From the Editor

Prof Kichu Nair1
Editor-in-Chief

Welcome to the 4th Volume, 1st Issue of Health Education in Practice: Journal of Research for Professional Learning. We have a very interesting series of articles in this volume.

The article from Magin et al discussed the decision making by GP registrars. We all know medicine is not black and white; it is often gray. There are lots of uncertainties in managing multimorbid patients and this is the bulk of medicine we see daily in a generalist setting. The authors studied over 70,000 consultations in general practice by 589 trainee registrars. This study has implications on trainees, trainers and training.

One of the major workforce issues in Australia is our workforce shortage in rural areas. Approximately 1/3 our population live outside major cities. However, this population has less access to medical care, even though they have higher rate of risk factors and chronic health conditions. This so-called Inverse Health care had been described by in 1971, by Julian Tudor Hart. McDonald and Duncanson have done a systematic review on this issue. Their conclusion of increasing the rural placement during training in addition to looking after human factors may improve the retention is worth pursuing.

Bringing more fidelity into simulation is important. Bissett et al used MASK-ED simulation for physiotherapy students. This program before clinical placement improved the confidence amongst trainees. What is more interesting is the immediate feedback from the experienced trainer was valuable for students.

Mackay and colleagues’ article on the “SEED” program during the 2019-20 bush file season highlights the “CORE” values in health. The paper highlights the need for person centred participation, leadership, mentorship and reflection for health care professionals for transformational learning. I am sure (and keen to hear) how this program helped in the current COVID pandemic.

1For correspondence: Prof Kichu Nair, Director - Educational Research, Health Education & Training Institute (HETI), Locked Bag 2030, St Leonards NSW 1590, Australia.

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