What began as a community placement two years ago for Dr Drew Davey has turned into a full-blown love affair with the way Tui Ora cares for whānau.
She has returned to start her three-year GPEP (General Practice Education Programme) training at Hauora ā-Whānau Ngāmotu, after spending time as a support doctor at the Tui Ora clinic in Waitara.
“I worked under GP Lead Gina Kay for six months and just fell in love with the people and the patients,” she says. “So I knew I’d be back. I am looking forward to completing my GP training here and helping to care for our whānau at the same time.”
She also has family ties to Tui Ora – her Nan, Caroline Davey, worked at the Piki Te Ora service (now called Tamariki Ora).
“Dr B (Bernard Leuthart, Clinical Director) had a huge impact on me too – he was very involved with my nan’s care at the end of her life and used to come and visit her.”
Drew always knew she would grow up to care for people and becoming a GP interested her because of the relationships doctors have with their patients.
“I love Tui Ora because the way we approach healthcare here aligns with my personal values,” she says. “When you look at the health statistics for Māori, there is a huge challenge there, but the mahi is also very rewarding. One of the biggest hurdles is simply trying to contact whānau – its not as straightforward as people think when they don’t have a phone or a way to access emails.
“I’m looking forward to this first year – I just want to learn as much as possible from the amazing team here.”
The first year of GPEP training includes attending classes one day a week, submitting case studies, and two formal written exams at the end of the year, with a clinical evaluation where the trainees are asked to interview, diagnose and propose treatment for a patient played by an actor.
Dr Alex Dempsey has already completed her first year and is now looking forward to a year with no exams!
“It doesn’t mean it’s all cruise-y, though,” she laughs. “There are assessments and assignments to complete and patient feedback has to be submitted too.”
She has enjoyed her first year of training – finding it very different from her time spent working at a hospital.
“Unsurprisingly, you see much more acute cases and a very wide range of issues. Also you have that immediate access to tests, imaging and specialists,” she says. “But I really enjoy the connection and continuity of care I have with the patients – ultimately that’s the type of medicine I want to do so I am in the right place.”
Alex is looking forward to putting everything she learned last year into practice, and getting her own list of patients. “I want to build enduring relationships with them, and support them to live healthy and fulfilling lives.”