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The Medworld Institute launched its scholarship programme and resources for medical students on November 4, 2025. Designed by peers for peers, this initiative supports medical students and junior doctors to thrive in medicine with guidance from their community.

Medworld Institute brings together expert doctors, graduates, and medical education providers. It uses evidence-based research to understand the challenges facing the medical workforce and advocate for effective change.

This year, the institute is focusing on combatting 'Placement poverty,' which is burning out medical students amid pressure from the cost of living and housing crises. Many medical students are struggling to support themselves through their degrees due to increased costs.

“We can't help the individual without improving the system, and we can’t improve the system without helping the individual,” explained the Medworld Institute Founder, Dr Sam Hazledine, “and to do that, we are starting with students.”

Each year, over 3,000 students across Australia and New Zealand could face "Placement Poverty." The Medworld Institute is pledging $26,000 in student grants to support trainee doctors in 2025 and offering a free Well Doctor Series.

“We believe the answers exist within the profession. That's why the Well Doctor Series features seasoned medical professionals who are thriving sharing their experience for their peers,” said Hazledine.  

The Medworld Institute originated when Dr Sam Hazledine successfully lobbied the World Medical Association to amend the Declaration of Geneva—the modern-day Hippocratic Oath—to include doctors' health and well-being. The Institute is a nonprofit initiative dedicated to advancing this mission.

The Medworld Institute is dedicated to supporting medical students and professionals through innovative programs and resources. In 2025, there will be three scholarships available. The Medworld Institute Australia Scholarship is open to all universities offering MBBS ($10,000 AUD), the Medworld University of Auckland Scholarship ($8,000 NZD), and the Medworld University of Otago Scholarship ($8,000 NZD).

“Our mission is to enhance the journey of medical students, ensuring they are well-prepared and connected as they embark on their medical careers. We believe that this is the first step to breaking the cycle,” Hazledine explained.  

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A survey conducted on January 26th, 2022, by medical company Medworld (a partner of the Medworld Institute) confirms that 95% of Australasian doctors believe we are in a workforce emergency. 

There are around 125,000 doctors in Australasia. Medworld contacted their database of 20,000. Responses received totaled a 10% segment of the total doctor market. 

“Before COVID-19, doctors reported a burnout rate of over 50%, but this survey shows that it has now moved to 60%. What shocked us was the number of doctors claiming to be working beyond their scope; this was 80%,” said Dr Sam Hazledine, Medworld Institute CEO and Founder. 

‍Hazledine has been at the forefront of doctor wellbeing for a while, having had the Declaration of Geneva amended in 2017 to include the health and wellbeing of the doctor. “With 90% of the workforce claiming there is a workforce emergency, and 80% claiming to be working beyond their scope while the minister little claims that hospitals are operating under capacity, it demonstrates that the minister is completely disconnected from the reality is on the frontline. While he might believe what he's saying, there in itself is a problem because it means that the appropriate resources won't be sent to the right place.”  - I wonder if we change this to be more about impending issues as we have surveyed AUS who are in a worse situation. 

This survey shows that the frontline is hurting. They were hurting pre-covid and even more so now. Medworld is working on a technology platform to help break down the silos and enable effective collaboration within the profession, but more needs to be done. Meanwhile, the Medworld Institute will be created to conduct further research.

“When doctors work beyond their scope, it isn’t just them who are hurting. It also affects their patients and our communities. We conducted this survey in the hope of giving the government and the general public a real snapshot into what is happening in our healthcare system due to COVID-19.” 

Among the findings were:

• Over 50% of respondents said they were experiencing symptoms of burnout pre-covid
• 60% say they are experiencing burnout now as a result of COVID-19 
• 98% of doctors say that COVID-19 has made their lives more challenging 
• 80% of doctors are being asked to complete jobs beyond their scope of expertise 
• 95% of doctors believe that we are in a workforce emergency 
• There are around 125,000 doctors in Australasia. Medworld reached out to a database of 20,000. Responses received totaled a 10% segment of the total doctor market. 

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The Australasian organisation, Medworld Institute has received B Corp certification as a part of Medenterprises. Medenteprises subsidaries consist of Medrecruit (medical staffing) Medworld (medical technology) and the Medworld Institute (a non-profit organisation supporting medical students and junior doctors).

Medworld Institute founder, Dr Sam Hazledine, says, “It aligns with our mission of doing everything we can to play our part in solving the staffing crisis, and it shows that we aren’t afraid to be held accountable to that mission.”  

  B Corp Certification is a designation that an organisation has been recognised globally as operating at the highest standard for social corporate responsibility.  

 In 2017, Medworld made news by successfully campaigning to amend the Declaration of Geneva to include the “health and wellbeing of the doctor. 

The healthcare staffing crisis facing Australia and New Zealand has become widely acknowledged by those inside and outside the industry. The key areas that helped the group gain B Corp certification were Medrecruit going beyond placements to try and make a difference in doctors' lives and an emphasis on placing doctors in rural, remote, and under-served areas.  

 “In these areas, sometimes a placement can mean the difference between care or no care,” explained Medrecruit Managing Director Richard Clark. 

“So far, we have placed over 23,000 doctors in areas classed as underserved or disadvantaged,” Dr Sam Hazledine explained. 

 With over 7,000 certified companies in over 90 countries, the B Corp movement is growing fast worldwide. There are over 750 B Corps in Australia.

 “We know that we need to go beyond staffing to make a real difference; that’s why we are also investing heavily in technology,” says Dr Hazledine.  

 Once gaining B Corp Certification, organisations are assessed and held accountable every three years. To become a B Corp, your business must have clear social or environmental goals. You must be willing to be managed transparently and accountable to stakeholders, including the local community. 

 “As entrepreneurs, we are responsible for using our skill, innovative thinking, to constantly reimagine our industry and to come up with better ways to leave the world a better place than we found it,” says Dr Hazledine.   

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