Grow your competence and confidence as a rural clinician with postgraduate learning tailored to the realities of isolated community settings and broad-scope hospital practice.
Why study Rural Clinical Practice?
Rural Clinical Practice is contingent on the rural environment, geographic isolation, limited resources and special cultural and sociological factors. This programme will help you deepen your generalist knowledge across areas such as emergency care, paediatrics, obstetrics, surgery, within the wider context of rural health delivery.
You’ll explore the realities of rural medicine, reflect on your own clinical experiences, and engage with material that strengthens the quality and confidence of rural day-to-day practice.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Rural Clinical Practice (PGCertRCP) and Postgraduate Diploma in Rural Clinical Practice (PGDipRCP) are recognised qualifications that support ongoing professional development and prepare you for further training in rural hospital medicine.
Career opportunities
Postgraduate study in Rural Clinical Practice supports career progression in several areas, including:
- Rural hospital generalist or medical officer roles
- Registrar positions within rural hospital medicine training pathways
- Clinical leadership or education roles in rural health services
- Research, policy, or advocacy focused on rural health delivery
What it’s like to study at this level
Your study combines distance learning with in-person residential seminars that bring your cohort together for focused teaching and discussion.
You will work through readings, written assignments, and case-based learning activities that encourage you to apply new knowledge directly to your clinical environment. This approach supports steady growth in your practice and helps you build strong professional connections with other rural clinicians across New Zealand.
This is for you if ...
This subject suits doctors working in rural or provincial hospitals who want to strengthen their generalist skills and contribute to high-quality rural healthcare.
Rural expertise that strengthens communities
Studying Rural Clinical Practice at Otago connects you with a university that is committed to supporting rural health.
Our programmes sit within a strong network of rural research and education, and our teaching team includes clinicians who understand the realities of rural hospital work.
Distance learning gives you the flexibility to remain in your community, while residential seminars provide valuable connection and collaboration. The PGCertRCP and PGDipRCP also support progression toward recognised rural hospital medicine training pathways and ongoing professional growth.
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, masters’, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Postgraduate Certificate in Rural Clinical Practice (PGCertRCP)
A one-year (part-time), distance-taught, coursework programme for medical practitioners who staff rural and provincial hospitals
Postgraduate Diploma in Rural Clinical Practice (PGDipRCP)
A two-year part-time advanced qualification for medical practitioners who staff rural and provincial hospitals
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
This programme includes in-person residentials.
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