From the Research
New Zealand medical students today differ from those in the past primarily through their increased diversity, with a higher proportion of women, Māori, Pacific Islanders, and students from rural and low socioeconomic backgrounds, as evident in the most recent study from 2023 1. The socio-demographic profile of medical students in New Zealand has undergone significant changes, with more women (59.1%) enrolled to study medicine than men (40.9%) between 2016 and 2020, according to a nationwide cross-sectional study 1.
- The majority of students (96.5%) were in the 18-29 years age range, and there was a lower overall rate of enrolment for Māori and Pacific students, as well as students from rural areas and low socioeconomic backgrounds 1.
- The study suggests that to address these issues, universities should commit to Indigenising institutional ways of knowing and being, review selection policies to prioritize communities in greatest need of doctors, and the government should fund more New Zealanders to study medicine 1.
- In contrast to older studies, such as those from 2009 2 and 2010 3, which discussed the need for increased diversity and affirmative action pathways, the most recent study from 2023 1 provides a comprehensive overview of the current socio-demographic profile of medical students in New Zealand.
- Another study from 2021 4 explored the views of New Zealand medical students on euthanasia/assisted dying, but this is not directly relevant to the question of how medical students today differ from those in the past.
- A study from 2022 5 on metformin and cardiovascular protection is not relevant to the question at all, as it focuses on a specific medication and its effects on heart health, rather than medical education or student demographics.