The current state of undergraduate medical education in New Zealand

Abstract

The two medical schools in New Zealand (NZ) are responding to the challenges of increasing healthcare demands and a worldwide doctor shortage, despite an environment of relatively scarce resource. Admissions to medical school are being increased and curricula examined and modified so that graduates are able to meet the healthcare needs of all New Zealanders. Affirmative pathways are in place for people of Maori, Pacific and rural origin to enter medical programmes and aim towards a broad demographic representation in future doctors. Additionally, there is a strong focus on Maori (indigenous) health in curricula. Medical undergraduate programmes have common learning outcomes and assessment but there are different pathways to achieve these, delivered at geographically dispersed sites. The final (Trainee Intern) year of the programme is an apprenticeship year which serves as a ‘work hardening’ year, but remains under the auspices of the respective universities. One of the greatest challenges that NZ faces with respect to healthcare is the long-term retention of high quality, local medical graduates, whose services are in high demand internationally.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Judy Mckimm

Judy Mckimm, MBA, MA (Ed), BA (Hons), Cert Ed, SFHEA, FacadMed, is an associate professor and Pro Dean, Health and Social Practice, Unitec, New Zealand.

Tim Wilkinson

Tim Wilkinson MBChB, PhD, MClinED, FRACP, is a professor and an associate dean (Medical Education), University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Phillippa Poole

Phillippa Poole, BSc, MBChB, FRACP, is an associate professor and head of Medical Education Division, School of Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.

Warwick Bagg

Warwick Bagg MBBCh, MD, FRACP is an associate professor and associate dean (Medical Programme), University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.