First and final year students in medicine, nursing and pharmacy programs at the University of Auckland completed a questionnaire used in studies of professional subcultures. Before entering training, students differed in how they believed clinical work should be organised. The collectivist attitude of pharmacy students was greater among those completing their studies than it was among those commencing study.

Doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other professional groups are expected to work in multidisciplinary teams to deliver high quality health services. This study suggests that the individualistic attitudes of medical students may need to be addressed during training if medical students are to graduate with a commitment to working in teams, an expectation of clinical governance.