Australian Medical Students Association: Medical Training Solutions For National Doctor Shortage

Main Category: Medical Students / Training
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 29 Aug 2008 - 1:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

The Australian Medical Students' Association (AMSA) has reiterated calls for State and Federal Governments to urgently address the shortage of clinical training places available to medical students and junior doctors.

The number of medical students graduating annually in Australia is expected to increase almost three fold in 10 years, from 1200 in 2002 to 3300 in 2012.

AMSA President, Michael Bonning said increasing medical student numbers would only be effective in overcoming the nationwide doctor shortage if high quality clinical training positions were made available.

"The number of clinical training positions available for medical students and junior doctors can be increased if Governments commit to working with medical education stakeholders to address the shortage," Mr Bonning said.

"Increasing clinical training capacity will require a significant financial investment which should be tied to the performance benchmarks in the upcoming Australian Healthcare Agreements," he said.

"More investment is needed to expand teaching infrastructure, develop novel teaching programs such as the prevocational general practice placement program (PGPPP), and adequately remunerate senior doctors who teach their junior colleagues.

"In addition we need to expand medical student and junior doctor training opportunities in underutilised settings, such as private hospitals, general practices and rural areas.

"If we can guarantee high quality clinical training positions for medical students and junior doctors then the surge in medical student numbers will pay dividends for underserved Australian communities," Mr Bonning said.

Australian Medical Students' Association

• Additional
• References
• Citations