Proposing continuing medical education for the Pacific.

In response to a request from the Pacific Basin Medical Association and the Micronesian Medical Council, the Faculty of Medicine and Health Science at the University of Auckland, are developing a distance learning postgraduate programme (Masters of Medical Science), for Micronesia. The health care model in the Pacific Basin promotes decentralised community-based preventative or clinical medicine alongside a high standard of secondary care in the hospital service. Medical Practitioners often operate in relative isolation, dealing with a diverse range of needs, many of which arise infrequently. The Masters of Medical Science Programme emphasises the integration of public health and clinical practice and the importance of comprehensive patient, family and community medical care. A key focus of the programme is the integration of public health principles into all relevant clinical areas, for example: paediatrics papers covers public health aspects of care as well as clinical principles in child health. The teaching approach will be finalized after establishing an understanding of budgets, teaching needs and available communication hardware. It is anticipated the programme will utilise a combination of written materials, on-site tutor visits, public health and clinical workbooks, audiotapes, videotapes, audiovisual conferencing, internet groups, regular tutor response to e-mail requests, teleconferencing, telemedicine and interactive internet access and CDs etc. A key element to the teaching process is self-directed learning, and a clinical workbook will assist in this. Assessment of the course and students are along the lines and standards of the University of Auckland.