RCSWA 2022 penultimate student Ruby Goedsir is a standout in the Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand Research Educators Network’s 3+1Q competition.

Her presentation titled ‘Diagnostic excellence in sepsis management: Focus on optimal blood culture test use’ won second prize recently.  

The professional network advances best practice and scholarship in teaching of research competencies to medical students of Australian and New Zealand medical schools. 3+1Q provides the students with a binational platform to showcase their academic, presentation, and research communication skills.  This year 16 medical students from across Australia and New Zealand presented their projects. 

Ruby was chosen to present by the UWA Medical School scholarly activity research coordinators based on her e-poster session which all UWA fourth year research students do as part of their final assessment.

Image: Ruby Goedsir with her 3+1Q award.

Reflecting on her research journey with RCSWA, Ruby says she experienced the best of both worlds having supportive supervisors in Perth and at her RCSWA Albany site.

“Participating in RCSWA last year was a dream come true… I was able to get access to WA data and contextualise those findings in a close-knit hospital. The distinctive charm of engaging in research within my rural town lay in the unwavering willingness of everyone to offer assistance, especially during moments when I found myself stepping out of my comfort zone,” Ruby reveals. 

“I count myself fortunate to have had Dr Susan Benson and Dr Lloyd Nash on site as my supervisors, as well as the wonderful RCSWA staff Dr Terri Pikora and Dr Kirsten Auret providing a constant lifeline.”

Initially Ruby was worried that going to a smaller town would limit her resources, but as her research was centred on human factors, the welcoming and supportive Albany community made all the difference.

“Having gorgeous beaches to spend the day at after the assignments were done was definitely a huge bonus!” she adds. 

This is the second year the 3+1Q presentation has taken place, with RCSWA 2021 student Thomas Filmer chosen as the UWA representative last year.  

For further information about the RCSWA research program, see uwa.edu.au/rcswa/our-research or contact [email protected]

Image: Ruby Goedsir enjoying WA's South Coast.