Medical students need more exposure to General Practice
The recent difficulty a Tokoroa medical practitioner has had in finding a successor has sparked debate about how to
address the shortage of General Practicioners in New Zealand. This is not a new issue and is symptomatic of insufficient
exposure to General Practice during medical school according to the New Zealand Medical Students’ Association (NZMSA).
“Medical students spend the majority of their clinical placements in hospitals despite New Zealand requiring half of all
students to choose a career in general practice if we hope to meet workforce demands” says NZMSA President Mike Fleete.
“Given how little emphasis general practice, especially rural general practice, is given in medical school, it is not
surprising that these areas struggle to attract doctors.”
“The New Zealand Medical Students’ Association recognises that all communities should have access to good quality
healthcare and calls on the government and universities to improve medical students’ exposure to general practice.”
“It is also important to recognise simply graduating more medical students won’t solve this problem. Solutions need to
address the multiple factors influencing medical practitioners career choices and changes need to occur to the GP
training scheme to make it more accessible and flexible.”
ENDS