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Postgraduate Diploma in Rural Clinical Practice (PGDipRCP)

    Overview

    This is an advanced nationally recognised qualification for medical practitioners who staff rural and provincial hospitals. These doctors require broad based specific skills, which may extend beyond that of general practice (but not necessarily rural general practice).

    Papers in the diploma contribute towards the RNZCGP Rural Hospital Medicine Training Programme.

    The Diploma (formerly known as the Postgraduate Diploma in Rural and Provincial Hospital Practice (PGDipRPHP)) is not only aimed at registrars in this programme but is open to all generalist doctors working in rural and provincial hospitals, whether or not they are vocationally registered in rural hospital medicine.

    The Postgraduate Diploma in Rural Clinical Practice (PGDipRCP) is also available through Distance Learning.

    Ready to apply?

    If this is the qualification for you, get started with your application today.

    Programme details

    Regulations for the Postgraduate Diploma in Rural Clinical Practice (PGDipRCP)

    1. Admission to the Programme

      1. Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences).
      2. Every applicant shall
        1. have been admitted to the degrees of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery of a university in New Zealand or hold an equivalent medical qualification approved by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences), and
        2. have commenced vocational training for rural hospital medicine or general practice or have had at least two years of approved experience in rural hospital medicine or general practice.
      3. Every applicant shall be registered for medical practice in the country in which the programme is taught or have an exemption from this requirement from the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences).

    2. Structure of the Programme

      1. The programme of study shall comprise papers to the value of at least 120 points; GENA 724 (15 points) and papers worth at least 60 points from the Core Papers in the Schedule, and further approved papers (up to 45 points) normally selected from the Elective Papers in the Schedule.
      2. A candidate who has completed the requirements for the Postgraduate Certificate in Rural Clinical Practice shall be credited with those papers in the programme for the diploma which have been previously passed for the certificate.

    3. Duration of the Programme

      The programme may be completed in two years of part-time study and must be completed within five years of admission.

    4. Level of Award of the Diploma

      The diploma may be awarded with distinction or with credit.

    5. Variations

      The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.

    More information

    Leigh-Ann Moir
    Rural Postgraduate Programme Administrator
    The Dean's Department
    Tel +64 3 440 4345
    Mob +64 21 279 0038
    Email rural.postgrad@otago.ac.nz

    Mailing address: c/- Dunstan Hospital
    PO Box 30
    Clyde 9341
    New Zealand

    This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.

    Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.

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