MB ChB Trainee Intern Elective Inquiry Statement from University of Otago Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Helen Nicholson

The University of Otago has received the findings and recommendations of the MB ChB Trainee Intern Elective Inquiry Report.

The University of Otago commissioned the Inquiry after it came to light that a small group of sixth-year medical students (Trainee Interns) had failed to meet full attendance expectations while on overseas elective modules in 2019. While satisfied that the issues with the 2019 group had already been appropriately addressed, the University considered it important to identify whether similar issues might have arisen in earlier years and to obtain independent views as to changes that might be made to the administration of the elective programme.

A panel, led by independent Chairman Emeritus Professor Nicholas Glasgow, of Australia National University, engaged in a series of meetings that included interviews with staff of the Otago Medical School and wider University staff. Other stakeholders, including medical graduates from 2015-2019, were invited to make written submissions.

The panel identified that the elective module had operated under a high trust model for many years and that this had become ill-equipped to manage the elective arrangements and allowed the issues identified in 2019 to occur.

The University accepts this and other findings of the report and has accepted the need to significantly strengthen its administration of overseas electives. As the panel noted, many changes have already been put in place. A Trainee Intern Elective Co-ordinator for the entire Otago Medical School has been appointed and changes have been made to achieve greater alignment of elective module policies, processes and objectives across the three campuses. The implementation of the SONIA student placement software application ensures more rigorous and standardised electronic management of student placements. We have established requirements of regular contact between supervisors and students on electives. Students will also now be required to complete a signed declaration regarding attendance as part of their elective reports.

We are heartened the panel found no grounds for believing any staff encouraged any unethical or unprofessional behaviour and in fact were consistent in reporting their shock, disbelief and sense of betrayal at the situation that emerged.

Importantly, neither the University nor the Medical Council have any concerns around the clinical competence of the students involved in 2019, who are now in practice.

The panel was not able to identify specific cases of insufficient elective attendance by Trainee Interns prior to 2019. However, the University accepts the panel’s finding that it is likely that some insufficient attendance did occur in prior years. Accordingly, the University has repaid the Tertiary Education Commission $156,178.00 - a proportion of the Trainee Intern grant it received and disbursed to students in previous years.

The University does not intend to actively seek to identify, seek recovery from, nor take action against others.

The University’s focus is now on ensuring it has robust systems in place so that this situation cannot occur again.

Click here to subscribe