The Bonded Support Program (BSP) is a support network for participants involved in the Bonded Medical Places (BMP) Scheme and the Medical Rural Bonded (MRB) Scholarship Scheme. Both Schemes are funded by the Federal Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) and managed by the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).

Services Provided

Participants are provided with extra educational support through online virtual seminars, e-Mentoring, Networking Events, Conference Support, Newsletters, RRMEO, and Spotlight on Community.

Conference Support
Conference Support is offered through the online application process with the objective of assisting participants with future career decisions.

Networking Events
The University Networking Events are aimed at the student body and available for all Bonded participants, providing the opportunity to meet other participants and representatives from Rural Health Clubs. There are also guest speakers and opportunities to gather information to help participants with their training decisions.

Virtual Seminars 
Virtual Seminar sessions are online live tutorials set on a decided topic hosted by doctors or medical professionals. Participants are able to interact with the presenter and each other in this unique virtual classroom atmosphere.

e-Mentoring
The e-Mentoring program is a closed discussion forum that runs for two weeks and consists of 40 participants from each Scheme. The e-Mentor starts the discussion by posting a comment on a set topic. This can vary from medical indemnity to general discussions on the culture shock involved in relocating from the city to the bush. Students are able to interact with the e-Mentor at their convenience over the session duration.

RRMEO
RRMEO (Rural and Remote Medicine Education Online) is an online tutorial forum unique to ACRRM. Educational support is available which includes virtual seminars and e-Mentoring sessions, learning planners, telemedicine, educational inventory and ACRRM clinical guidelines available for download to a PDA or smart phone.

BSP Newsletter
Participants receive a regular BSP Newsletter which highlights current BSP activities including conferences, networking events, virtual seminars, e-mentoring and spotlight on community. There is also a Q&A section whereby students may ask questions and we will endeavour to answer them on the next newsletter issue.

Spotlight on Community
Spotlight on Community articles highlight specific remote and rural communities across Australia focusing on local attractions, medical services provided and other information that can be of use for students moving to rural and remote locations.

The BSP team is always on hand to assist with any queries.

Contact:

Email: bondedsupportacrrm [dot] org [dot] au

Freecall: 1800 223 226

Any questions relating specifically to Departmental contracts please contact the relevant Scheme using the following contact details.

Email: MRBscholarshipshealth [dot] gov [dot] au

MRB
Freecall: 1800 248 720
Switch: 02 6289 1555
Fax: 02 6289 8600 (att: MRB Scheme)
Email: MRBscholarshipshealth [dot] gov [dot] au

BMP
Freecall: 1800 987 104
Switch: 02 6289 1555
Fax: 02 6289 8600 (att: BMP Scheme)
Email: BMPSchemehealth [dot] gov [dot] au