Regional Queensland's shortage of health professionals has driven the development of a new suite of academic programs at CQUniversity.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark Burton said the research supports the need for new health and medical science programs in regional Queensland.

Professor Mark Burton, helping to usher in new medical degrees

"The data clearly proves that if you take in rural or regional sourced students and provide enhanced curriculum then 60 - 70 percent will stay in the region to work for at least 3 years afterward."

CQUniversity already offers hugely successful programs in nursing, midwifery, exercise science, psychology and social work, but has rolled out other programs especially developed to meet the health skills shortage in regional Queensland.

Firstly, the University's Bachelor of Biomedical Science program will undergo a facelift to align better with local demands.  Renamed as the Bachelor of Medical Sciences the program will offer three specializations: nutrition, pathology and clinical investigation.

Professor Burton said the regions were crying out for professionals in all these areas.  He was particularly excited about offering regional students the chance to specialize in clinical investigation.

He said graduates from this strand could work in the diagnostic field in both private clinics and hospitals where there is a shortage in cardio and pulmonary diagnostic specialists.

CQUniversity has also announced the offering of medical imaging programs to train both radiographers and sonographers.

The University has purpose built laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment on it Mackay campus, ready for a 2011 enrolment into these imaging programs.

In consultation with Queensland Ambulance, CQUniversity is also developing a paramedic program. This program will include clinical placements with the ambulance service.

In fact, the provision of clinical placements is a major factor in ensuring industry relevance across all of CQUniversity's health and medical offerings.

For more information about these new programs contact CQUniversity 13CQUni (13 27 86) or visit the website http://www.cquni.edu.au/ .