This rural based curriculum was offered in New Zealand for the first time in 2007. It is a new generation of learning which integrates primary, secondary and tertiary medical care through real life experiential learning. During the year students will have the opportunity to learn under the guidance and mentoring of experienced general practitioners, rural hospital generalists and tertiary hospital specialists. The rural community will become their own learning and living environment.

Curriculum Structure and Organisation of the RMIP

RMIP

It is intended that the RMIP will provide equivalent experiences for students to those in the tertiary hospital in Dunedin. The major difference is that the clinical learning is gained through integrated experiences with patients in general practice, rural hospital and tertiary hospital. The curriculum will be the same but the methods of achieving the curricular requirements will be different.

Students are expected to direct their own learning in the RMIP within the established guidelines  of the programme. We want to maximise the opportunity to gain experiences which are relevant to the 5th year course.

Information for 4th Year Med Students

George Giddings, 2009 intake, on choosing the Rural Immersion option: