Higher degree opportunity with the Centre for Rural Health
Are NZ's postgraduate rural medicine training programmes (GP, RHM) fit for purpose?
Ever thought about Masters/PhD study? Here's a great opportunity to start with supervision from experienced rural health researchers. The project will focus on postgraduate rural medicine training but the exact research question is yours to finalise.
2024-12-11
Background
In NZ, people living in rural areas have worse health outcomes than those living in urban areas, and this is accentuated for Māori. The overarching aim of rural-targeted training pathways, in providing a robust pathway to a rural-based employment, is the provision of health services to rural areas. The RNZCGP-DRHMNZ has a responsibility to reduce chronic health access inequities for all rural and remote communities.
Previous findings indicate (and anecdotal evidence suggests) that many rural health services including some serving communities with the greatest health-access inequities (particularly Māori communities), are not benefiting from the rural PG vocational training programmes.
Research topic
For example : Where are NZs vocational rural medical training programme (GP and RHM) graduates training and practicing?
How do trainees navigate the various training pathways across NZ’s regions?
What factors influence trainee and graduate choices of training and work location?
Methods
Mixed methods approach including:
- A literature review
- Quantitative component
- Qualitative - semi- structured interviews & thematic analysis
Timeline
Commence from 2025
Supervision from:
Centre for Rural Health, Department of GP & Rural Health, DSM
Contact here for more information
Applicants must be eligible for admission to the MHealSc programme at the University of Otago.
A Master’s degree could be done part time over 2-3 years from anywhere in NZ, a PhD over 3-8 years
See: MHealSc programme entry requirements
NB there are 2 broad options for a Masters Health Science with varied size of the research component :
- approved papers at 400-level or higher worth at least 120 points, and a thesis (120 points) embodying the results of one year of full-time or equivalent part-time supervised research; or
- approved papers and other course components at 400-level or higher worth at least 240 points (at least 40 points of which will be at NZQF Level 9), including a research method paper or papers to the value of 30 points, and either a research project (30 points) or a dissertation (60 points). Where the programme includes a research project, the research methods paper must be one of the approved 800-level options.
The papers shall constitute a coherent and integrated programme, shall prepare the candidate for the research study, and shall normally include an approved research method paper or papers to the value of 30 points.