As part of the medical school programme, our students meet with members of the community to practise their communication skills and gain a better understanding of a specific topic they are studying. We are seeking volunteers who are willing to either come to the medical school to meet with a small group of students or have two to three medical students visit them in their own homes. All conversations are private and confidential.
We are currently looking for people who are willing to share their experiences of the following:
- Medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, respiratory conditions, neurological conditions (e.g. Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Stroke etc.), kidney diseases etc.
- Chronic illnesses such as Long Covid, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, ME/CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), chronic pain, etc.
- Living with disability of any kind that has a significant impact on your day-to-day life.
- Being the main carer for a family member or friend with a significant health condition or disability.
- People who want to make changes to their lifestyle for improved health or are in the process of doing so.
- People who have experienced a significant bereavement in the last 1-3 years.
- People and organisations who help people with addictions.
These interviews help our medical students better understand the lived experience of illness to help them become better doctors in the future. Current volunteers also tell us that being involved in these interviews is both enjoyable and meaningful as they use their experience to help students learn. We greatly appreciate the generosity of volunteers who give so readily of their time to help our students learn essential skills for their future practice.
If this sounds like something you would be interested in, please send your expression of interest to foms@otago.ac.nz or click on the link below, and an administrator of the medical school will get in contact. Please note that due to the holidays and staff being on leave, this might only happen mid-January 2025.
Becoming a Friend of the Medical School Expression of Interest Form
Looking forward to hearing from you!