TRAINING DOCTORS

Taranaki Daily News, 23 September 1931, Page 12

TRAINING DOCTORS

GOOD WORK AT DUNEDIN. ENGLISH PROFESSORS’ TRIBUTE. The opinion that Otago University offers facilities second to none for the training of medical students was expressed last evening by Professor W. Wright, f the University of London, who, with Professor G. A. Buckmaster, of the University of Bristol, has completed a short visit to the Dominion. They have recently conducted the primary fellowship examination in Melbourne for the Royal College of Surgeons and are on their way to Canada to hold similar examinations there. Professor Wright said he and his colleague had been greatly impressed not only by the high standard of the tuition available to students at Otago, but also by the stamp of young man taking the course in medicine at the university. It was gratifying to see what was being accomplished in New Zealand and there was every reason for pride in the results which Otago University was achieving. Speaking of the mission which had brought Professor Buckmaster and himself to Australia, Professor Wright said the Royal College of Surgeons had agreed to hold primary examinations overseas at the invitation of members of the profession in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. The examinations consisted of tests in anatomy and physiology. The first was held in Toronto in 1929, the next in Montreal in 1930, and the third in Melbourne a few weeks ago. It was probable that the next series would be held in three years and. that examinations would be conducted in Otago as well as .in Australia and Canada. There were several reasons for holding the examinations for the primary section overseas. One was that it would save the student both time and money in going to London and sitting for examination there. If the candidate failed he would probably have to remain for perhaps another year before he could sit again. A further important reason was that the holding of examinations overseas tended to the establishment of uniformity throughout the Empire in the standard of knowledge of members of the surgical branch of the profession. There was still another reason, said Professor Wright. It was intended that the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons should follow the lines of the Royal College of Surgeons in London, with which it was affiliated. The final examination for the fellowship would be held in London. The candidates must go to England, and in doing so would learn something which would help in the establishment of their own college on a sound basis.