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Overview

The Postgraduate Diploma in Rural and Provincial Hospital Practice (PGDipRPHP) and Postgraduate Certificate in Rural and Provincial Hospital Practice (PGCertRPHP) are targeted at doctors practicing or training in rural and remote general practice and / or rural hospital medicine. They are distance-taught and make it possible to undertake relevant study while continuing to live and work in a rural community.

The papers are clinically focused with a lot of case-based small group work.

There is one 4–6 day residential workshop per paper. The distance learning tools employed include videoconferencing (Zoom) and an interactive web-based teaching platform (Moodle).

Learn about Zoom

See a demonstration of Moodle

The papers are convened by doctors actively working in rural practice. The teaching staff are spread across rural and remote NZ, and is in fact the most geographically-dispersed faculty within the University.

The Certificate consists of a total of 60 points and the Diploma 120 points.

Find out about the programme requirements

It is also possible to do just one or two papers by enrolling for a Certificate of Proficiency (COP).

All papers qualify as Base Hospital Attachment for RHM Fellows and for MOPS points for RNZCGP.

Who should consider doing these papers?

Rural Hospital and Cook Islands GP trainees


The papers are components of the RNZCGP Rural Hospital Medicine Training Programme and the Cook Islands General Practice Training Programme. Trainees enrolled in these papers are given preference if places are limited.

Rural GPs and rural hospital doctors


The papers are also open to practicing  rural GPs, rural hospital doctors, and other medical practitioners with an interest in rural medicine. The Diploma was originally developed with these doctors in mind.

Practicing rural doctors find the papers useful as targeted continuing medical education (CME), and the experience they bring greatly adds to the education of the whole class. Even if you have completed a paper in the past it may be possible to repeat the content as a CME exercise.

See CME activities offered by the Rural Postgraduate Programme

GP trainees


GP trainees are welcome to do one or more papers. They are particularly useful to anyone considering rural general practice.

The papers meet the GPEP2 academic requirements.

Postgraduate papers

Semester 1

GENA 724 The Context of Rural Healthcare

The context of clinical care in rural settings in relation to the person, the doctor and the community.

15 points, residential, 11–13 March 2024 – Whangamata

GENA 725 Reflections in Rural Clinical Practice

Mental health emergencies, alcohol and drugs, palliative care and hauora Māori in an NZ rural setting.

15 points, residential, 18–21 April 2024 – Hokianga

GENA 726 Obstetrics and Paediatrics in Rural Settings

Management of gynaecology, obstetric and paediatric problems in rural settings.

15 points, residential, 4-7 June 2024 – Ashburton

Semester 2

GENA 723 Trauma and Emergencies in Rural Settings

The management of common medical and surgical emergencies in the rural setting.

30 points, residential, 28 October–1 November 2024 – Ashburton

GENA 727 Surgical Specialties in Rural Settings

Management of common surgical problems in rural settings.

15 points, residential, 11–14 November 2024 – Christchurch

GENA 728 Cardiorespiratory Medicine in Rural Settings

Management of cardiology and respiratory problems in the rural setting.

30 points, residential, 25-30 November 2024– Dunedin

GENA 729 Medical Specialties in Rural Settings

Management of acute and common medical problems in rural settings.

15 points, residential, 18–22 November 2024 – Ashburton

Further information

Contact details

Leigh-Ann Moir

Rural Postgraduate Programme Administrator
C/O Dunstan Hospital
PO Box 30
Clyde 9341

Tel +64 3 440 4345Mob +64 21 279 0038
Email rural.postgrad@otago.ac.nz

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