Rural Medical Immersion Programme (RMIP)

RMIP 2026

The Rural Medical Immersion Programme (RMIP) is a one-year academic programme available to University of Otago fifth year medical students. In 2026, up to 35 students will spend their year living and learning in small groups in one of nine rural communities across the South and lower North Islands.

RMIP aims to cover the clinical knowledge and skills of the ALM5 curriculum through experiential learning, while promoting students' understanding of rural health and healthcare delivery. Students follow patients through their healthcare journey across general practice and rural hospital settings, under the guidance and mentorship of experienced general practitioners, rural hospital generalists, visiting specialists and other members of the healthcare team.

RMIP is popular with students for its 'hands-on' approach to learning, prioritising time with patients, small group and self-directed learning, and continuous relationships with local teaching and health professional staff. RMIP's growth since it began in 2007 has been on the basis of this popularity, its proven academic record and its effectiveness in attracting programme graduates to careers in rural generalist practice.