This profile of a University of Otago medical graduate is still in draft form. We would value feedback on it and suggestions for improvement. It is designed to be a core statement that helps us plan and refine our course. We plan to alter our course so that these attributes are better met by all our graduates. If you feel there are attributes that have not been included, or that some are unnecessary, please contact us by filling out the form below.
MB ChB Graduate Profile
On completion of the Otago University MB ChB programme, the graduate should be competent to practise safely and effectively as a first year doctor (intern) and have an appropriate foundation for further training in any branch of medicine. Specifically, the graduate should have the following skills and attributes:
1. Personal Attributes
| 1.1 | The capacity to be a critical thinker, capable of weighing, evaluating and integrating new information into his or her understanding of issues |
| 1.2 | The ability to evaluate his or her own professional functioning and to act to remedy limitations of knowledge, skills and attitudes throughout his or her career |
| 1.3 | The ability to extrapolate from knowledge and principles to solve new problems |
| 1.4 | An awareness of his or her professional limitations, and a willingness to seek help when these limitations are met |
| 1.5 | The ability and willingness to learn and to appreciate that learning continues throughout life |
| 1.6 | The ability and willingness to facilitate the learning experience of individuals, groups and communities, both within and beyond the health sector |
| 1.7 | Information literacy, including the ability to locate, evaluate and use information in a range of contexts |
| 1.8 | The ability to be organised and the skills for time management, so that time and resources are used effectively and efficiently |
| 1.9 | A dedication to appropriate ethical behaviour, based on a well developed awareness of his or her own moral values, and knowledge and application of principles of medical ethics |
| 1.10 | An awareness of his or her own needs as a person, how health needs might impact on competence to practice and an ability to access appropriate support or healthcare for him or her self |
| 1.11 | A commitment to the fundamental importance of the interdependence between research, medical knowledge and professional practice |
| 1.12 | A commitment to advocate for the health needs of individuals and communities |
2. Interactive Attributes
| 2.1 | A caring and empathetic attitude to others |
| 2.2 | Respect for, and an ability to co-operate with colleagues, competence in teamwork and an understanding of the roles of other health professionals and healthcare teams |
| 2.3 | A respect for patients and a dedication to work with patients to optimise their health and wellbeing |
| 2.4 | Respect for, and an ability to respond to the cultural context and aspirations of patients, colleagues, other health care workers and communities |
| 2.5 | An understanding of and an ability to respond to the obligations of the Treaty of Waitangi |
| 2.6 | Oral and written communication skills, including an ability to communicate effectively with individuals, groups and communities, both within and beyond the health sector |
3. Disciplinary Attributes
| 3.1 | A sound knowledge of the philosophical, scientific and ethical principles underlying the practice of medicine and an ability to apply this knowledge as part of competent medical practice |
| 3.2 | A sound understanding of the legal framework surrounding medical practice in New Zealand |
| 3.3 | A sense of social responsibility and an understanding of the contribution of doctor, health services, society and political influences to the health outcomes of patients |
| 3.4 | A commitment to the principles of patient-centred medicine |
| 3.5 | Knowledge of factors impacting on inequalities in health outcomes |
| 3.6 | Knowledge of factors impacting on the health status of Maori and other cultures |
| 3.7 | Skills in eliciting, documenting and presenting the history of a patient's problems and the relevant physical examination findings |
| 3.8 | Skills in problem solving and formulation of differential diagnoses |
| 3.9 | Skills in the management of common medical conditions, including; informing and negotiating, the performance of relevant clinical procedures, assessment of prognosis, prescribing skills, knowledge of drug therapy and care of the dying patient |
| 3.10 | Skills in the management of emergencies and other serious medical conditions |
| 3.11 | An awareness of, and the skills to manage, uncertainty in medical interpretation and decision making |
| 3.12 | An ability to maintain proper boundaries between personal and professional roles |
| 3.13 | An understanding of the role played by individuals and society in the development of disease and the maintenance of well being |
| 3.14 | A sense of social responsibility and an understanding of the roles and functions of healthcare institutions in the social and political environment |
| 3.15 | An appreciation of the global perspective of medicine, and an informed sense of the impact of the international community on New Zealand and New Zealand's contribution to the international community |