New Zealand
Population, (2017): 4.794 M
Income per Capita, (2018): 37852.87 US
Percentage of GDP on Healthcare, (2015): 9.34%
Training
Year Family Medicine was Established: 1972 (Malloy, Tim, et al., 2017)
Length of Medical School: 6 years (Ogato Medical Degree)
MBChB is a six-year programme including Year One (Part I) of the Bachelor of Health Sciences or the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science
Length of Training Program: 3 years (Medical Council of New Zealand, 2011)
Type of Training: Residency (Medical Council of New Zealand, 2011)
Number of Institutions That Offer Family Medicine Training:
Number of Trainees: 107 spots each year (Medical Council of New Zealand, 2011)
Practice
Number of Family Physicians: 92.5 general practitioners per 100,000 in the urban cities, (2016) and 72.5 general practitioners per 100,000 in the rural areas, (Workforce Survey Report, 2016)
Number of Physicians: 317 physicians per 100,000, (New Zealand Parliament, 2011)
QALY: Not Available
DALY: Not Available
Life Expectancy: Males- 80 years old
Females- 83.4
Infant morality rate is 4.4 deaths/ 1,000 live births
Healthcare System
The healthcare system in New Zealand is mixed and is comprised of both private and public sectors. In New Zealand, if you need to see a specialist free of charge, you have to start with a general practitioner in the public system. You can also pay out of your pocket and see a specialist through the private system (New Zealand Immigration, 2018). General practitioners are also well recognized in New Zealand as there is a college called the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners that was established in 1974 (Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners). It is also publicly funded since there is a public system. Of the doctors that were on call for than 10 hours a week, 43% of them worked in private group practices and 40.9% of them worked in a public hospital. Of the specialists, 86% of then worked in public hospitals, whereas, 4.4% of them worked in a private group practise (Workforce Survey Report, 2016).
Access to healthcare in New Zealand is also very good. Any child under the age of 5 qualifies for a free health service called Well Child or Tamariki Oro. All children under 13 are also eligible for free general practitioner visits, immunizations, eye and hearing checks, and dental appointments while at school (New Zealand Immigration, 2018). This helps break down barriers to healthcare and ensures people get good access to healthcare.
training
Medical school training in New Zealand is comprised of 6 years (Ogato Medical Degree) of education, followed by 3 years of “residency” (Medical Council of New Zealand, 2011). The residency in New Zealand is most similar to the apprenticeship model seen in Australia, rather than the residency programs that are typical of North America. The apprenticeship model culminates in Fellowship, similar to Australia, meaning trainees can practice independently (Interview informant, 2019). The medical school post graduate years consist of 2 years that involve hospital-based training, this is called Post-Graduate Generalist Placement (PGGP), followed by another 3 years of a General Practice Education Program (GPEP) before the trainee takes their fellowship assessment (The Royal College of General Practitioners, 2016).
practice
The other primary care deliverers in New Zealand include nurses, midwives, and Maori health providers (Michael Belgrave, 2011 & Transition Medical, 2018). The role of the general practitioner in New Zealand includes opening a group practice in a medical center, providing mental health services, providing primary care and giving patient-centered care to individuals, families, and communities (New Zealand Immigration, 2018 & Transition Medical, 2018). In New Zealand again, General Practitioners mirror family doctors in their roles and responsibilities in the healthcare industry. General practitioners are used as gatekeepers as they refer you for further tests or specialist treatments (New Zealand Immigration, 2018). In New Zealand, they use a community-based model of primary care.
References
“About Us.” n.d. Accessed November 25, 2018. https://www.rnzcgp.org.nz/RNZCGP/About_us/RNZCGP/About_us/About_us.aspx?hkey=65aaace1-0543-4a80-b4c2-845a143be2ab.
Degree, The Otago Medical. n.d. “About the Otago Medical Degree.” Accessed November 25, 2018. https://www.otago.ac.nz/medicine/about/index.html.
"Fellowship Pathway Regulations". 2016. The Royal New Zealand College Of General Practitioners. https://oldgp16.rnzcgp.org.nz/assets/New-website/Become_a_GP/2017-Fellowship-Regulations-version-1-002.pdf.
Flegg, Karen, Dr. interviewed by Althaf Azward, November 28, 2018, Updated information given through email April 19, 2019)
“General Practice.” n.d. Accessed November 25, 2018. https://www.mcnz.org.nz/get-registered/scopes-of-practice/vocational-registration/types-of-vocational-scope/general-practice/.
“Healthcare Services in New Zealand | New Zealand Now.” n.d. Accessed December 1, 2018. https://www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/living-in-nz/healthcare/healthcare-services.
Malloy, Tim, Api Talemaitoga, Lauren Mcgifford, Sue Crengle, Anita Mazzoleni, Mark Peterson, and Jo Scott-Jones. n.d. “The Seven Members of The College Board”. Accessed November 25, 2018. https://oldgp16.rnzcgp.org.nz/assets/Intranet/Resources/FINALOrientationGuidePart2.pdf.
“Medical Workforce Issues - New Zealand Parliament.” n.d. Accessed December 1, 2018. https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/research-papers/document/00PlibCIP021/medical-workforce-issues.
“The New Zealand Medical Workforce in 2016.” n.d. Accessed December 2, 2018. https://www.mcnz.org.nz/assets/News-and-Publications/Workforce-Surveys/Workforce-Survey-Report-2016.pdf.
“Primary Health Care – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand.” n.d. Accessed December 1, 2018. https://teara.govt.nz/en/primary-health-care.
“What Is Life like for GPs in New Zealand? - Transition Medical.” n.d. Accessed December 1, 2018. https://www.transitionmedical.com/blog/what-is-life-like-for-gps-in-new-zealand/.