The students, some as young as 18, are part-way through a new component in their studies, a tour of duty assisting carers in eight Dunedin rest homes and geriatric hospitals.
Each student will complete 24 hours of work spread over six weeks.
Just before the Otago Daily Times called at Ross Home to interview Mr Hamilton this week, he had spent some time helping an elderly resident who had spilled a cup of tea change his trousers.
But Mr Hamilton (31), was not complaining.
"This is a fantastic opportunity. I spent some time working in a hospice last year by choice . . . It is good to be here. It is very hands-on."
Ross Home manager Margaret Pearce said the students were "buddied" with a carer and assisted with showering, dressing and feeding residents, accompanying them to activities, clearing dishes after meals, dispensing medications, writing up patient notes, sorting linen, changing beds and chatting to residents.
"They are helping with grass-roots caring. It gives them a very good picture of what life is like for carers and residents in hospitals or rest homes."
Mr Hamilton said the work was good training, as he hoped to become a general or rural GP.
But he said the reactions of his class-mates varied.
"Some are finding it a bit different. Some are finding it a bit hard . . ."
Carer Libby Hema, who is supervising Mr Hamilton, said she was happy to show medical students the ropes in an industry which was traditionally under-staffed.
"This is quite a demanding job and it is good for trainee doctors to see that. When I first started here [six years ago] I thought all carers did was serve cups of tea.
"When I found out you had to feed and shower residents and give them suppositories, I wasn't too keen. I'm OK now, though."
The geriatric care experience is part of the biggest overhaul of the Otago Medical School's teaching curriculum in 10 years, with second and third-year students spending far more time interacting with patients.
As well as their geriatric duties, students are interviewing volunteer patients about their experiences with illness, visiting health-care agencies, and learning about illnesses such as HIV-Aids, asthma, cancer, heart disease and addictions.
The aim was to provide students with professional relevance, clinical skills programme convener Dr Hamish Wilson said.
"They are learning what it means to be a health professional in a practical way."
