Overview
This 15 point paper looks at the management of acute and chronic common medical problems in rural communities and hospitals.
Who should do this paper?
Any GP or rural hospital doctor working (or intending to work) rurally will find this paper particularly relevant to their day-to-day practice. Students should be prepared to share and discuss their clinical experience and thoughts in a safe, supportive, and confidential learning environment.
This is a 15 point paper that fulfils the requirement of the Academic Component of the GPEP2 Programme.
RHM and GP Fellows will also benefit from taking this paper to access up to date evidence based clinical practice.
This paper fulfils the RHM Fellows' triennium CPD programme requirements for Clinical Attachment.
Paper modules
The paper is taught in ten modules, each covering a different subject in rural and provincial medical practice. These ten modules are:
- Gastroenterology
- Geriatrics and rehabilitation
- Neurology
- Oncology
- Renal medicine
- Haematology
- Infectious diseases
- Rheumatology
- Endocrinology
- Toxicology
Our people
Paper convenors
- Steve Withington Rural Generalist, Ashburton
- Philippa Cross Rural Generalist, Tauranga
- Miriam Duffy, Rural Generalist Whangarei
Administrator
Leigh-Ann Moir
Tel +64 21 279 0038
Email rural.postgrad@otago.ac.nz
Paper structure
The paper is delivered in four components: Residential workshop, video conferences, Moodle, and reading materials.
Residential Workshop
- Dates: 20-24 November 2023
- Venue: Ashburton
- Start: Monday 20 November, approximately 9:00am
- Finish: Friday 24 November, approximately 1:00pm
Students will be expected to have read the essential readings prior to attending the residential workshop.
Students are expected to bring two cases for discussion to illustrate issues of managing medical problems in rural settings. They may be the same cases that will be presented for written assignments.
There will be an optional course dinner during the Residential. The cost of dinner is additional. Students are required to arrange their own accommodation.
Zoom
Zoom is the university's preferred Internet-based videoconferencing platform.
A Zoom videoconference IT clinic has been arranged in order to sort out technical issues before the first teaching videoconference. It is also a good way to test Zoom and troubleshoot so that you can contribute successfully.
Videoconferences (total of 4) will normally be held on Wednesday evenings on specific topics—Neurology, rheumatology, gastroenterology, and transfusion medicine. The exact dates are still to be confirmed.
Moodle
Moodle is the university's preferred platform for interactive Internet based teaching. This is used extensively through the semester.
Course resources, announcements, and case based discussion forums are accessed through Moodle. Students can also share resources on Moodle.
- Watch a demonstration of Moodle
- Access Health Sciences Moodle here (University of Otago student login required)
Readings and resources
We have tried to include readings that are up to date and applicable to rural generalist settings. They are a mix of essential, recommended, and optional readings.
Terms requirements
In order to achieve the terms requirements for this paper each student must:
- Attend the compulsory residential workshop
- Participate in at least 3 out of 4 of the teaching videoconferences
- Contribute weekly to Moodle
Assessment
Participation
Overall quality of participation in the course will be assessed.
Written assignment
Based on a student's own clinical experience, two (approx) 1000 to 1200 word case presentations on the medical specialty topics covered in this paper, with discussion on application to the rural context and relevant critique of diagnosis and management in rural settings.
The first assignment is due by midnight on Friday 24 September.
The second assignment is due by midnight on Friday 26 November.
Examination
A combined case-based, short-answer, and MCQ exam will be run on the last day of the residential.
Important dates
- Residential workshop: 20–24 November 2023
- Written assignments:
The first assignment is due by midnight on Friday 23 September 2023
The second assignment is due by midnight on Friday 1 December 2023
Enrolment
To enrol in this paper
- Email the Rural Postgraduate Programme administrator at the email address below THEN
- Enrol online via the eVision portal
Administrator
Leigh-Ann Moir
Email rural.postgrad@otago.ac.nz