Written By
Andrew Cramb
College/Division
College of Medicine and Dentistry
Publish Date
5 October 2022
Related Study Areas
Perspectives from the JCU Medicine Selection Panel
The selection of JCU Medicine students is a rigorous process designed to deliver a fit-for-purpose medical workforce for our regional, rural and remote communities. At the core of this process are three very important people; a clinician, JCU staff member and a community representative who volunteer their time for our interview selection panels.
Volunteer panel members help ensure a student cohort that is more likely to go on to work in communities that are currently underserved in their health care needs. With the 2023 Intake just around the corner, we need more volunteers to help choose our future medical workforce.
JCU’s high-quality Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree receives upwards of 4,000 applicants each year. From this pool, over 800 applicants are invited for an interview with a panel generally consisting of a healthcare practitioner, JCU staff, and a member of the community.
Dean of JCU’s College of Medicine and Dentistry Prof Richard Murray says the volunteers' input is crucial in determining the students who are offered a place in the sought-after medical program.
“The selection process for the MBBS program is certainly rigorous, and it’s underpinned by the involvement of our medical, university and broader communities,” Prof Murray says.
“Our medical students will form the backbone of the regional, rural, and medical workforce in Queensland. They become the future colleagues and the treating doctors of our selection panel, so it’s essential that community voices are represented in the selection process."
In response to the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020, JCU moved the interview process online. The revised format will continue into the 2023 selection process, which Prof Murray says provides greater opportunity for cross-sectional participation. “Going online has certainly opened up wider participation from across our region, with the added benefit of broadened diversity of the panel," Prof Murray says.
From a doctor’s perspective: medical students of today are our colleagues of tomorrow
Fraser is a doctor working in a medical centre in Outback Queensland. He will be joining the selection panel for the third time, motivated to give back to the process he was part of as a former JCU medicine student himself.
“As a passionate rural doctor who has benefited from and been shaped by the ethos of JCU’s medical school I feel a sense of duty to give back and contribute in a small way to JCU’s ongoing endeavour of producing excellent country doctors,” Fraser says. “Rural doctors know what it takes to be effective broadly as a medical practitioner, and especially what it takes to work in the rural Australian context.”
“Not only do I have a personal and professional stake in ensuring we continue to get doctors to the bush, but I also take great joy in interviewing students who are going to make excellent doctors, and who provide interesting, atypical answers to some of the questions.”
“As the medical workforce evolves, and as we progress through our careers, the students of today and tomorrow inevitably become our mentees, then our colleagues, and inevitably, eventually, our very own caregivers. What could be more important than making sure we produce great ones?”
From a university staff perspective: understanding the rigours of academia
Susan is a JCU staff member who has been involved in the JCU Medicine Selection panel for over a decade. ‘Many hands make light work’ was the mantra that prompted her to get involved, and she encourages other JCU professional services staff and academics to join her.
“Everyone is important to the process. Academics are closely familiar with the rigour of the course including the volume and knowledge of work involved as well as the skills and communication and empathy required,” Susan says.
From a community member’s perspective: A rewarding experience shaping future doctors
Toni is a retiree who read about the JCU medical selection volunteer opportunity last year and immediately felt like it was a perfect fit for her.
“I absolutely loved it! The professionalism and organisation from JCU were superb. As someone who has lots of experience in selection panels, I was very impressed,” Toni says. “I felt my feedback was really listened to, the other panel members were lovely and the prospective students great. I felt very appreciated after the experience and it was extremely rewarding.
After her experience in last year’s panel, Toni strongly encourages the general public to get involved.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to have some input into the training of remote medical practitioners. It is an excellent way to do volunteer work that does not take up too much time - and you don't even have to leave your house! You are very supported by JCU and you can request to sit on as many or as few panels as you feel comfortable with. I am hoping that I can continue doing this for many many years,” Toni says.
What’s involved as a Medical Selection panel volunteer
Interviews will be held from 29 November to 8 December 2022 and on 3 and 4 January 2023, in morning and afternoon sessions with each panel interviewing approximately five applicants.
Panels usually consist of a medical doctor, academic and community person. One person will be allocated as Chair of the panel. Each panel has a webinar support person who manages the technical aspects. There is also a dedicated support hotline for panel members.
Volunteers are placed on panels according to their selected availability. You may also like to sign up for our backup register, which would be a great help to us in instances where interviewers' circumstances may change at the last moment.
Training of interviewers consists of self-paced online modules and a live session via Zoom. Links will be emailed following registration. Experienced interviewers are provided with access to a short refresher training module. Volunteers will also have a set-up session with one of our technicians to test Zoom connectivity and address any technical issues.
Volunteer for our selection panel
- New volunteers register here to create a profile and select your availability.
- Register here if you are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander wanting to participate in the interview panel for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants.
- Previous interviewers register here and use your login details from previous years. If you have forgotten your password, please click on Forgot Password to reset it.