The Volunteer Program – What is it?

The SCM Volunteer Program consists of adult members of the Canberra community who participate in the Clinical Skills Program in order to assist students  gain experience working with ‘real’ people while developing their physical examination skills.

Volunteers are generally people who are healthy and independently mobile; this does not mean that volunteers cannot participate if they have a health problem or condition, just that this needs to be under control and managed. Many persons in the community have a variety of health problems that they manage as part of their daily life and consider themselves relatively healthy. 

Volunteers work with medical students in Year 1 and 2 of their medical training, one aspect of which is learning physical examination skills on ‘healthy’ people before moving on to someone who is ‘sick’.

Volunteers do not need any particular skills to participate, just a willingness to be examined; for example this may involve allowing students to listen to your heart and/or lungs, examine your abdomen or belly, shoulder or knee. The actual examination involved depends on the part of the program the students are currently studying.  No sensitive or intimate areas of the body, such as breasts or genitals are involved.

Volunteers are asked to sign a consent form agreeing to participate in the program – a copy of this can be viewed on this site. The consent form is discussed in detail at the information session.

Volunteers are offered a $30 gift voucher as a token of appreciation for their involvement in the program.

Being a Volunteer – What’s involved?

Volunteers work with a small group of students (usually 7-8) and their tutor who is a qualified doctor.

Teaching sessions take place at the SCM, located at The Canberra Hospital Site, on a Tuesday and Thursday each week. The usual session times are mornings at 10.30 to 12.15pm or afternoons at 2.30 to 4.15pm.

As a volunteer you would be given a list of dates, times and the type of examination required and YOU CHOOSE which of these you are able to participate in.  You would then be contacted and dates/times confirmed with you.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or would like to talk with someone about the program please contact:

Irene Howgego (Clinical Skills Administrator Yr 1 & 2)
6244 3630

Stephanie Magill (Patient Recruitment Officer)
6244 2145

or e-mail patient.recruitment@anu.edu.au