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When a Dream Becomes a Nightmare: Why do Indigenous australian Medical Students Withdraw from Their Courses?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 July 2015

Isabel Ellender ,
Marlene Drysdale ,
Janice Chesters ,
Susan Faulkner ,
Heather Kelly  and
Leanne Turnbull
Isabel Ellender
Affiliation:
Department of Rural and Indigenous Health, Monash University, PO Box 973, Moe, Victoria, 3825, Australia
Marlene Drysdale
Affiliation:
Department of Rural and Indigenous Health, Monash University, PO Box 973, Moe, Victoria, 3825, Australia
Janice Chesters
Affiliation:
Department of Rural and Indigenous Health, Monash University, PO Box 973, Moe, Victoria, 3825, Australia
Susan Faulkner
Affiliation:
Department of Rural and Indigenous Health, Monash University, PO Box 973, Moe, Victoria, 3825, Australia
Heather Kelly
Affiliation:
Department of Rural and Indigenous Health, Monash University, PO Box 973, Moe, Victoria, 3825, Australia
Leanne Turnbull
Affiliation:
Department of Rural and Indigenous Health, Monash University, PO Box 973, Moe, Victoria, 3825, Australia
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Abstract

This paper investigates reasons Indigenous Australian medical students gave for leaving their courses prior to graduation. Indigenous students who had withdrawn or deferred from their medical courses were asked about the barriers and disincentives that had dissuaded them from graduating. Although the response rate to the questionnaire was very low, it opened up a way of looking at the particular experiences of Indigenous students. Of the 12 responses, the most prominent reason given for withdrawing was financial. Most were satisfied with enrolment processes but a number were disappointed with their courses and with teaching methods. More support from the university was the only encouragement that would have persuaded most respondents to continue. This paper explores the reasons for the high rate of withdrawal of Indigenous medical students and concludes by suggesting ways in which secondary schools, universities and their medical schools could respond to the recruitment and retention of Indigenous medical students.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education , Volume 37 , Issue 1 , 2008 , pp. 40 - 47
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2008

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