A doctor says students have been abusing their overseas work placements for decades and it's absurd to think those in authority didn't know about it.
More than 50 final year Otago medical students will be prevented from graduating this year after being found to have lied about going on holiday during their supposed 12-week overseas hospital placements.
They were found to have submitted forged work experience documents to make it look as though the conditions had been met.
Medical students from Otago and Auckland receive a $26,000 government stipend to fund their final year of placements.
A former student, now a doctor, told our producer Lucy Smith he regarded that as his money to spend - on holidays if he chose.
RNZ agreed not to name him and to disguise his voice.
