Students captivated by the art of medicine

New Zealand Medical Students’ Association

PRESS RELEASE

Students captivated by the art of medicine

One hundred and thirty of New Zealand’s medical students will be in Christchurch this weekend to attend a conference that looks at medicine as an art, rather than as pure science.

"It is exciting to have medical students from around the country gather together to discuss what we don’t learn in lecture theatres," says convenor, Mr Trevor Kuang. "Learning about the art of medicine will help us deliver better health care to New Zealanders."

Conference ’09: The Art of Medicine is organised by the New Zealand Medical Students’ Association (NZMSA) and runs from May 1st-3rd at the University of Otago, Christchurch School of Medicine. It offers students exposure to a diverse range of people, interests and opportunities within medicine and the health sector in New Zealand. It also represents one of the few occasions in which tomorrow’s doctors are able to meet and exchange ideas on a national level.

The conference addresses work-life balance, risks and responsibilities, the importance of multidisciplinary teams, and doctors’ health and wellbeing.

"Our country is currently facing a workforce crisis, with shortages throughout the sector. Shortages also increase stress and dissatisfaction amongst New Zealand doctors. Addressing these workforce shortages means taking the time to think about wellbeing, work-life balance, and ways to work better as a team. Conference is a forum to do just this," says Mr William Perry, President of NZMSA.

New Zealand has produced world leaders in a diversity of fields within health – from asthma research, surgical simulation technology, indigenous health, ethics and patient rights, to doctors who combine medicine with scaling mountains. "Conference ‘09 brings together some of the outstanding New Zealanders working in the medical and health sector to inspire our next generation of doctors." Mr Kuang says.

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