Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a selection of on-campus papers will be made available via distance and online learning for eligible students.
Find out which papers are available and how to apply on our COVID-19 website
The philosophical basis of medical practice; doctors and their relationship in the delivery of medical care. Reflective practice and the incorporation of theory into day-to-day medical work.
This paper explores the role of doctors and their therapeutic relationships in the
delivery of medical care. It is based on reflective practice and the translation of
biomedical theory to day-to-day medical work.
GENA 820 provides a systematic
review of the foundational concepts of medical practice; it aims to examine the academic
and philosophic underpinning of modern medicine.
There are three compulsory
face-to-face weekend 'residentials' over the course of the year and eight modules
of study. Topics include the history and culture of modern medicine, the doctor-patient
relationship, consultation studies, the self of the doctor, the world of the patient
and the place of general practice in health care delivery. It is an exciting and rewarding
year of study with colleagues.
| Paper title | Nature of Medical Practice |
|---|---|
| Paper code | GENA820 |
| Subject | General Practice |
| EFTS | 0.25 |
| Points | 30 points |
| Teaching period | Full Year (Distance learning) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $2,938.00 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Restriction
- GENX 820
- Limited to
- PGCertGP, PGCertPHC, PGDipGP, PGDipHealSc, PGDipPHC, PGDipRPHP, MHealSc
- Eligibility
- Suitable for medical qualifications only.
- Contact
- gp.postgrad@otago.ac.nz
- Teaching staff
- Paper Structure
- This paper comprises eight learning modules:
- Literature and self
- The place of general practice in primary health care
- The world of the patient
- The history and culture of modern medicine
- The doctor-patient relationship
- Consultation studies
- The self of the doctor
- Wisdom in practice
- Teaching Arrangements
This paper is distance taught. There are three compulsory residentials during the year and videoconferences for each module.
- Textbooks
Required: Cunningham W and Wilson H. Being a doctor: understanding medical practice. 2013. Otago University Press; Dunedin
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding,
Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
- Students who successfully complete the paper will have
- A renewed sense of purpose in medicine
- Greater comprehension of the strengths and limitations of modern clinical method
- Increased skill in working with 'difficult' patients resulting in fewer 'heart-sink' moments
- An improved ability to contribute critically to medico-political discussions
- Better understanding of one's own career choices
- A great sense of collegiality with others
