Rate My Professor Ruth Barnett

Dr. Ruth Barnett is the ELM Clinical Skills Convenor at the Centre for Early Learning in Medicine (CELM) within the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Otago, Dunedin campus. She graduated from Otago Medical School with an MBChB in 1985 and has pursued a career combining clinical practice and medical education. As a part-time general practitioner in Dunedin, she brings practical experience to her teaching roles. Barnett has contributed to the ELM Clinical Skills Programme Module since 2009, starting as Lead Tutor for Clinical Skills Year 2. She served as Acting Convenor prior to her formal appointment as Convenor in 2020 by the Otago Medical School. In this leadership position, she oversees clinical skills training for students in the early years of the MBChB programme, including modules on clinical skills, early professional experience, and integrated cases.

In early 2026, Dr. Barnett was appointed Chair of the Clinical Skills, Diagnostics and Therapeutics sub-committee in the MB ChB Strategy Group, part of the new governance structure designed to strengthen leadership in the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery programme at the University of Otago. She collaborates with the CELM team, including the Associate Dean and Director, assessment convenors, and other senior lecturers, to deliver high-quality early medical education. Her work has included adapting teaching methods, such as creating instructional video clips for patient interaction during COVID-19 restrictions. Listed in the university staff directory as ELM Clinical Skills Convenor under Health Sciences, she supports the Division of Health Sciences through her educational contributions. Dr. Barnett also participates in university initiatives like teaching practical skills workshops.