Rate My Professor Niki Newman

Dr. Niki Newman, MBChB, DipPaed (Auck), MPH (Otago), MAcadMEd, serves as Senior Lecturer in Clinical Skills, Director of the University of Otago Christchurch Simulation Centre, Head of Section, and Clinical Skills Director within the Faculty of Medicine, Division of Health Sciences, University of Otago. She has focused on simulation-based medical education since 2009, developing clinical and professional skills in the MBChB programme at the Christchurch campus. The Simulation Centre was established as part of a Faculty of Medicine initiative to expand clinical skills facilities. In her directorial role, Newman leads strategic planning, development, and day-to-day operations, overseeing facility use by all students and teaching staff while holding primary teaching responsibilities for the undergraduate medical programme. She also convenes the Clinical Skills Vertical Module for years 4 and 5. Newman contributes to key committees including the Curriculum Sub-Committee UOC, Clinical Skills Diagnostic & Therapeutic Sub-Committee, and 4th and 5th Year Student Progress Committee UOC. Her professional memberships encompass the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE), Academy of Medical Educators (AoME), Australia New Zealand Association for Health Professions' Educators (ANZHAPE), and Canterbury Collaborative Simulation Interest Group (CCSIG).

Newman's academic background includes advanced training such as the Boston Children's Hospital Simulator Program, Paediatric Simulation Instructors Workshop in Auckland (2012), and ESME Certificate in Medical Education (2017). Her research specializations lie in simulation-based medical education, clinical skills teaching, and innovative tools like smartphone apps for medical students. Key publications include 'Usability and global reach of a 'Just-in-Time' clinical skills app for medical student education' (Newman et al., 2025, Proceedings of the 10th International Clinical Skills Conference), 'Consent to medical student teaching: an observational, cross-sectional study exploring the patient view' (Newman et al., 2024, BMC Medical Education; also ICSC 2025), 'Final year medical students simulated on-call programme: Can simulation-based education build resilience in junior doctors?' (Mortlock et al., 2025, ICSC), and presentations such as 'Development of an app-based learning tool for medical students to access local clinical skills resources' (Newman & Sim, 2024, NZASH Conference). Earlier work includes her MPH thesis 'Childhood obesity: do primary schools have a role in prevention?' (2007). Through her leadership, Newman significantly influences medical education at UOC by integrating simulation technologies and fostering professional skills development.