“You treat one patient, you help them. You teach students to better treat and interact with patients, you help a larger group. You influence what students are learning, you can make a big difference to many more patients in hospitals and the community." Professor Tim Wilkinson.
A desire to improve patient care motivated Professor Tim Wilkinson to become involved in the training of medical students more than 20 years ago.
His dedication and innovation in the field was recognised recently when he received Australasia's highest honour for medical education.
Professor Tim Wilkinson heads training across the University's three schools in Dunedin, Christchurch, and Wellington.
Top teacher: inspirational and dedicated
The Australian and New Zealand Association for Health Professional Educators (ANZAHPE) award recognised his leadership role and outstanding work in curriculum development and medical training research.
Professor Ben Canny is Vice-President of the ANZAHPE. He says Professor Wilkinson's award recognises his “incredible work” as a health education leader.
“Many of us look to you for inspiration and wise counsel, and assiduously track your publications for guidance,'' Professor Canny said in a congratulations email.
Professionalism, communication, teamwork: important
The medical curriculum still focuses on medical science, communication, diagnosis and management skills. But new technologies and approaches are improving student outcomes. These include:
- students teaching vulnerable populations such as prisoners about sexual health.
- greater focus on professionalism, cultural awareness and quality interactions with clinical colleagues such as nurses.