Trainee Interns from University of Otago Wellington can go to the Tairāwhiti interprofessional progarmme on their GP or Surgical rotations
What is the GP clinical placement like?
You are placed at a General Practice in Gisborne or Wairoa with a GP supervisor for 6 weeks. In some situations you may also do your ED week whilst at Tairāwhiti and be there for 7 weeks. At the beginning of your GP placement you may spend a couple days orientating yourself to the computer system and how the consultations are run, and then you will be able to see patients by yourself, for as long as you need, before the GP joins you and you can discuss your management plan and put it in action. You will have the opportunity to do minor procedures - as much as you're comfortable with. This could include giving vaccinations, taking bloods, doing cervical smears, using cryotherapy on skin lesions, or performing skin lesion excisions.
What is the surgical placment like?
The surgical placement is with the Hauora Tairāwhiti Surgical Department (Gisborne Hospital) and is for 6 weeks
How does this work with TIPE activities?
For 5 of your 6 week placement you will also be on the TIPE programme. During this time approximately three of the five days a week will be spent on clinical placement, while one day will be spent on placements with other healthcare professionals, learning a bit about what they do, and how you can collaborate with them as a medical student/future doctor. Most Fridays are spent with the TIPE programme, either in learning sessions, participating in group activities or visiting different community groups to gain a better understanding of the health needs of the Tairāwhiti population.
Comments from previous Medical Trainee Interns on TIPE
What was it like learning with, from, and about other health professionals?
'I think that having placements in a hospital as a med student you do learn about other health professions, particularly nursing, occupational therapy, social work, and physio. However, it was great to learn about other areas, like dietetics, dentistry and oral health, as I haven't had as much contact with these professions, and to further build on my knowledge of those I had already come across. It also allows you to see how you might collaborate with these health professionals in a more effective way to provide greater care for the patient.'
'It was greast living with students from other specialities - we had so much discussionat home around health and our different professions'
