The MMED (Rural) program is one of the more exciting developments in medical training in PNG in recent times.
Starting as a collaboration between some mission run hospital, UPNG and DWU, the program was developed on three foundational beliefs.
- That Rural Hospital medicine is unlike any other field of medicine currently practiced in PNG, effectively requiring multiple fields of expertise, from anaesthetics, surgery, obstetrics, general medicine, public health, research, budgeting and financial reporting, project development and administration, community relations, information and communications technology, maintenance… and more besides.
- Doctors have to be specifically trained and supported for this task.
- Such training is best done by doctors already in the field and experienced in the subject. As such, the MMED (Rural) seeks to train doctors insitu in district hospitals wherever possible.
Retrieval at sea – Anaesthesia rotation, Alotau
The program commenced in 2008 and has grown steadily since with strong support from NGO hospitals, Ausaid, W.H.O. and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
The program is a full Masters program with students electing to do their Part 1 in either Surgery or Obstetrics. The Part 2, completed at the end of the program is in Rural General Practice, with external examiners supplied by RACGP.
The program is ONLY open to applicants who are currently working, or have signed on to start work in Rural Hospitals or other approved rural facilities. These may be NGO or government run. The successful candidate will negotiate their contract with this employer, and MUST remain in the employ of that body for the duration of the training program unless otherwise agreed.
For further information, see the attachments below or contact the University of PNG School of Medicine and Health Sciences Post Graduate study department, or email us.
Download the Clinical Competencies log book here.
Download the Master of Medicine Rural Health Training Handbook here.