The Otago medical degree (MB ChB) recognises the importance of social responsibility by engaging, partnering with, and responding to the needs of our communities.The programme works, directly and indirectly, with community partners and individuals to better understand what these needs are so our staff and graduates are prepared to support and address these. This is demonstrated in all aspects of the programme, including admissions pathways that encourage diversity in the medical workforce; community consultation and opportunities for members of the public to provide feedback.
Admissions
Otago aims for its medical cohort to reflect the demographic diversity of the New Zealand population, and includes pathways for students from underserved demographics: Māori, Pacific Island origin and rural. These pathways acknowledge both that these groups are under-represented in health professions and over-represented in poor health statistics.
Māori Health Workforce Development Unit
Pacific Islands Research and Student Support Unit
Get involved
As well as consulting with stakeholder groups, we welcome input to and on the programme by individuals. individuals to tell us what they expect of New Zealand's doctors. Let us know what you would like to see in future doctors, or about your encounters with our students.
Friends of the Medical School
The Friends of the Medical School is a group of people in the Dunedin area who are willing to help medical students in their learning. Students increasingly have more contact with patients from an early stage of the course; Friends of the Medical School volunteer to meet with small groups of students to talk with them about experience of health, illness or disability.
Email foms@otago.ac.nz
Become a Friend of the Medical School (online form)
Feedback
We are always interested in improving the training of our doctors.
Let us know how we can improve our doctor training or what you would like to see in a future doctor.
If you would like to raise an issue of meritorious or concerning actions you have observed in our medical students, please download and complete one of the Professional Behaviour reporting forms and return it to the address indicated for your location.
Student activities
Otago's medical students are increasingly aware of social issues and community health needs. While the full range of events vary from year to year, according to the interests and talents of each student cohort, activities include fundraising, advocacy and volunteering.
Most of their activities involve very little staff input (aside from support and donations), but the school encourages and celebrates their commitment to the community.