New Zealand Medical Students' Association

Medical Student Wellbeing

will — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:30:33 +0000

Medical student wellbeing is becoming an increasingly recognised area of research. NZMSA President Elect, Will Perry, is about to head across to London to present at the BMA-AMA-CMA Doctor’s Health Conference. His talk is entitled “Painting the Picture: medical student wellbeing” and is based on the wellbeing survey conducted across Australasia late last year. A full update of this presentation will be available after the event.

For those interested in medical student wellbeing, an article recently published in the New York Times is worth the read: Medical Student Burnout and the Challenge to Patient Care

Taking the Pulse Launches

will — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:05:02 +0000

NZMSA has launched its survey that looks at the perceptions and intentions of medical students as they enter the workforce. It can be completed by all 5th year and Trainee Intern students at www.nzmsa.org.nz/pulse

Press Release: Increased medical school numbers welcomed - retaining them is the issue

will — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 08:47:52 +0000

The recommendation to increase the intake of medical school entrants by 100 places over the next 4 years, which appeared in the Medical Training Board’s discussion papers released this afternoon, has been welcomed by the New Zealand Medical Students’ Association. “ It has become evident in recent years that New Zealand cannot continue to rely on foreign trained doctors to man our health system, and that we must make a commitment to train more of our own doctors” Anna Dare, NZMSA President said.

“Increasing the number of students taken into New Zealand’s medical schools represents a long overdue step towards achieving self sufficiency in our medical workforce.”

In the last 25 years there have been only two small increases in medical school numbers – one in 2003 and again in 2008, despite a growing population and a vast increase in the burden of chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity.

Ms Dare cautioned however that New Zealand’s problems with retention of its medical graduates must also be addressed if the increase in medical numbers was to have any effect on solving workforce shortages. “Currently we lose 30% of our doctors overseas within the first 3 years of graduation” Ms Dare said. “Without simultaneously addressing our poor retention rates, we may simply end up training an additional 100 medical students for Australia”

Though the focus has often been on remuneration, Ms Dare believes high quality training and a system which values and respects those working within it was equally as important. “Promoting a health workforce climate that ensures our newest graduates see New Zealand as a viable place to work and train is paramount, especially as we look to further increase the number of students we train.”

The Medical Training Board discussion documents also included recommendations for training and the need for broad oversight and ongoing medical workforce planning.

Press Release: Medical Students’ Association applauds National’s voluntary bonding scheme for graduates

will — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 06:38:34 +0000

The New Zealand Medical Students’ Association (NZMSA) today welcomed the announcement by John Key of the National party’s Voluntary Bonding Scheme for medical graduates and other health professionals. “Debt relief offered during a graduate’s first years in the medical workforce, in return for a service commitment to New Zealand, is something New Zealand’s medical students welcome” President of NZMSA Ms Dare stated.

The announcement follows increasing pressure for New Zealand to address its significant medical workforce crisis after the release of a WHO report in May found that 30% of New Zealand’s doctors leave the country within three years of graduating from medical school. “New Zealand’s high and sustained loss of medical graduates, along with its continued reliance on overseas trained doctors to man our health system has left the country in a very vulnerable position” Ms Dare says. Shortages, once confined to rural areas and certain specialties were now being seen across the board and in all parts of the country. “National’s commitment to address doctor retention issues through a debt relief scheme is a significant step towards ensuring a sustainable medical workforce for New Zealand in the short to medium term.”

New Zealand medical students pay some of the highest fees in the world to train as doctors. The average medical student debt at graduation is $65 206, with 10% of doctors owing over $100 000. In a study of New Zealand medical graduates, debt was a significant driver in pushing doctors offshore. “Debt relief, such as the Voluntary Bonding Scheme offers, will enable more of our young doctors to stay practising in New Zealand.”

Debt relief was not just about remuneration however. “The voluntary bonding scheme is a means of showing our new medical and health graduates that New Zealand values their contribution to the health system, and to our communities” Ms Dare says. “This is important for ongoing recruitment into medicine and health in New Zealand.”

Ms Dare did however caution against seeing voluntary bonding as a “magic bullet” for our medical workforce crisis. “This policy must be coupled with a commitment to increase funded medical school places and to promote a health workforce climate that ensures our newest medical graduates’ see New Zealand as a viable place to work and train.” “Ongoing longterm workforce planning is needed alongside short term relief” she said.

National announces bonding plans

will — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 06:36:53 +0000

National Party Leader John Key has unveiled plans for voluntary bonding of health professionals in the second of a series of health announcements. Mr Key says National will introduce a ‘voluntary bonding’ scheme offering student loan debt write-offs to graduate doctors, nurses, and midwives agreeing to work in hard-to-staff communities or specialities.

Click here to read the policy.

Latest issue of The Bulletin now available

James — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 05:51:07 +0000

The latest issue of NZMSA’s newsletter The Bulletin is now available for download in the resoures section.

National Blood Drive: Dunedin, the winner of Vampire Cup 2008

haisue — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 04:53:43 +0000

Medical schools across New Zealand hosted blood drives to increase the number of medical students that donate blood. The school with the highest number of donations per capita was Dunedin this year, making Dunedin the first winner of The Vampire Cup! Thanks to everyone who got involved, keep it up and see you again next year!

Medical Council Summer Scholarships

will — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:53:43 +0000

The Medical Council is offering research award to medical students, who attend a New Zealand medical school, to undertake projects during the 2008/09 summer vacation.

The Council intends to award four summer studentships. The Council’s aims in awarding summer studentships include:

increasing medical student awareness of the Council
increasing medical student knowledge of the attributes of good medical practice
introducing students to research methods, including publication of scientific papers undertaking pilot studies, and clarifying questions of interest to the Council.

Applicants may however choose a topic of their own choice that is relevant to quality medical practice and attaining an adequate workforce.

Each studentship has a value of $5,000. Actual and reasonable expenses with evidence of a receipt or invoice may be claimed up to the value of $600 plus GST.

The deadline for summer student applications is Friday, 5 September 2008.

More information on the Council’s summer studentships can be found at www.mcnz.org.nz under News

NZMA Summer Studentship

will — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 10:28:07 +0000

The New Zealand Medical Association provides an annual summer studentship worth $4,000 to New Zealand medical students to complete a piece of research. Half the grant ($2,000) will be paid at the outset and the remaining amount paid when the student’s research report and supervisor’s progress report are submitted to the NZMA. The duration is normally ten weeks over the summer break but greater or lesser times may be considered by negotiation.

For 2008/9, applications close Friday, 26 September 2008.

To apply for a studentship, medical students must submit a research plan (including timeline), in consultation with a supervisor, on a topic that is of relevance to the practice and profession of medicine. Together with their research plan, applicants must also complete the prescribed application form, submit a brief CV, and provide a minimum of one academic reference.

Applications will be assessed on:

Resonance with the goals of the NZMA: a) “to promote unity of the profession” b) “to promote the health of New Zealanders”
Suitable supervision
Ability to complete in the required timeframe
Academic background

Who Can Apply: Medical Student members of the NZMA

More information and application forms for the Summer Studentships may be found on the NZMA’s website.

www.nzma.org.nz
0800 656 161

Apply for AMSA NLDS

will — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:57:20 +0000

The Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA) have opened applications for their National Leadership Development Seminar (NLDS) to New Zealand medical students. The timeframe in which to apply is short: applications are due Sunday August 3^rd 5pm. Please note that this time is different from that published on the AMSA website, as we have been able to secure an extension to allow you more time to apply.

NLDS is held in Australia’s capital city, Canberra, and is proudly supported by the Minister for Health and Ageing. Delegates are provided with an opportunity to question parliamentarians about issues facing medical students and Australia’s health system today. Attendees also participate in workshops designed to improve skills in advocacy, media and negotiation. This seminar is an opportunity for medical students to spend three days exploring the concept of leadership with prominent figures in Australian health and politics.

The cost to New Zealand delegates is $350AUD. Flights are not included, and are estimated at a further $800NZD return. It is asked that candidates take this into consideration when applying. The New Zealand Medical Students’ Association is unfortunately unable to provide any financial support towards your attendance.

The seminar is always of exceptional quality, and previous New Zealand delegates have found it extremely valuable. Further information and the online application form can be found at http://www.amsa.org.au/events-nlds.php Applicants will be selected according to the AMSA Selection Guidelines. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Vice President External, Will Perry: vpe@nzmsas.org.nz