MDANZ Inherent Requirements for Studying Medicine in Australia and New Zealand

The Medical Deans of Australia and New Zealand (MDANZ) has asked for feedback on a consultation document on Inherent Requirements for Studying Medicine in Australia and New Zealand. This was endorsed at their 2015 Annual Conference and following consultation will be considered again at their 2016 Conference to be held in Wollongong in October.

The document has some very specific requirements for current and prospective medical students, regarding physical capabilities. The AMA submission to the consultation recommended that medical students should be considered capable to practise medicine until proven otherwise. Where there are concerns about the physical ability of a medical student or doctor, the same rules that apply to other individuals should apply to medicine, and reasonable adjustments should be made to support the person with the disability.