Experience success with a unique student offer – NRK Nordland

– I am spontaneous, and applied for the position without reading very carefully. So I didn’t quite know what to expect. This has turned out to be a big part of my life.

That’s what Marlene Mellum (28) says.

She talks about “Studentlegene”, a unique offer just for the students at Nord University in Bodø. Since September last year, she and three other medical students have had an open doctor’s office two afternoons a week.

– The lists were full from the first opening day. We saw very quickly that there was a great need among the students, because they suffer from not having a GP in the study city.

She is a final year medical student at the Arctic University of Norway in Tromsø. Two years ago, she moved to Bodø to complete her education.

From idea to “talk”

The idea for the project came from the leadership group in the student association “Studentinord”.

Over time, they had noticed that the GP system in Bodø created challenges for the students, especially for those with addresses in other municipalities and international students without a Norwegian social security number.

– The students felt rejected at the emergency room, and stood in a queue at our advisers to get help. We have a health nurse, but she will not take care of medical assessments, says Lena Jørgensen, director of welfare services at Studentinord.

With the flow of refugees and long queues at the emergency room, they suggested that the medical students could help, so that the students were guaranteed proper health care.

– The municipality has a responsibility for its residents, but we have a responsibility for our students. The students were clear that the situation was a problem, and then we took action.

With good solutions from both sides, it went from idea to realization in four months, and became the talk of the town among the students.

Keeps the GP

– I mentioned to a friend that I needed medical attention, and she then advised me to see the “Student doctors”.

That’s what nursing student Julie Titternes says. She has lived in Bodø for almost three years, but originally comes from Åker on Dønna, a drive of 355 kilometers from the place of study.

Her GP also lives there, whom she chose to keep during her studies.

The 21-year-old tried to find out about the medical service when she moved to Bodø, but found no useful information.

– There is a lot that needs to be put in place as a student in a new city, and everything becomes a bit manageable. It is a bit difficult to get in touch with a doctor if you don’t have a GP available.

Both she and fellow student Louise Svendsen therefore praise the offer.

– The students relieve both GPs and the emergency room by using this offer. The fact that they are only open in the afternoon is also very practical in terms of everyday school life.

New student doctor

It is not only Titternes who have taken advantage of the offer. Student doctor Mellum says that they help up to 20 patients in the course of an afternoon.

– Every day and every human encounter is different. Those who come want help with everything from migraines, infections and blood tests to contraception and answers to questions about mental health.

Mellum is in the final sprint of her studies, so she has passed the baton on to Sunniva Rognan Ringseth.

She has just completed her first shifts as a student doctor, and is motivated to continue with the project.

– It is a grateful group of patients. Even if they don’t need us all the time, I think they think it’s nice that we’re here when they need us.

Important guidance

Rognan Ringseth has recently practiced at Havna Medical Center, where the Student Doctor is currently based. Now she will settle in even better at the office in the center of Bodø.

– Marlene and the gang spoke warmly about the project, and it made me want to try. I also see that we are needed, so it will be exciting going forward.

Although she is allowed to make her own decisions as a doctor, cooperation with a supervisor is required. It was GP Kjersti Jæger, who is impressed by the work the students are doing.

– This is a lot of fun. I am available either in the office or on the phone, but I am very independent. They work well, have nice conversations and do good research.

For inspiration

Jæger says the project is important for recruiting more GPs. Student doctor and medical student Marlene Mellum thinks the same.

– The experience is valuable. The project has made me much safer as a student, and I am left with a better insight into what it means to work as a GP.

She recently gave a lecture about the project during the Student Health Conference at Nord University.

Leaders of student organizations from all over the country were present, who were inspired.

Oline Sæther, head of the Norwegian Student Organization, is among those who are impressed by the scheme.

– The majority of students have to work because the student grant is not enough. Then it is a smart solution for the association and the municipality to collaborate with students so that we get access to relevant jobs, she says.

The student organization knows of similar arrangements elsewhere in the country. But they would like to see that this was an investment so that all students had access to student-run health services.

– We think it is a good supplement, especially where there are long queues, says Sæther.

From crisis to success

Head of health in Bodø municipality, Stian Wik Rasmussen, is relieved that the offer is being put to good use. He was pleasantly surprised by the proposal for the student organisation.

– For us, it has been a win-win situation. We don’t know of anyone else who has such a project, but this has helped us significantly.

Rasmussen calls it all a happy story. He emphasizes that the offer saved the shortage of GPs in the municipality.

– There were absolutely no vacancies left among our GPs last year. It was full in all lists. We have now resolved the crisis, and are in a situation where we have good capacity. That makes the student offer somewhat redundant.

The contract with “Studentlegen” runs until 2024. Rasmussen says that the project must be evaluated, and cannot promise that the contract will be renewed.

– The costs are now very low, for various reasons. If this goes to zero in our budget, then it’s fine to continue it.

– Is there a risk that it will not be renewed?

– Yes, it is. But it’s too early to tell.