HECS Debts And Indigenous Health: A Step In The Right Direction, Australia

Main Category: Medical Students / Training
Article Date: 07 Jul 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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The Australian Medical Students' Association (AMSA) welcomes the Family First proposal of a HECS reimbursement scheme for medical students committing to work in Indigenous communities after graduation.

AMSA National President Rob Mitchell said AMSA is pleased to see some tangible and viable solutions put forth in an effort to improve Indigenous health in this country. "HECS Reimbursement schemes are a practical way of attracting doctors to both Indigenous and rural communities. I've no doubt this model would prove successful," Mr Mitchell said. With HECS fees estimated at $51,000 for a six-year degree, the reimbursement of these funds in return for a two-year commitment of service after graduation from medical school will be an attractive option to many.

"The HECS reimbursement scheme represents a solution to workforce maldistribution that is far superior to draconian programs such as the Bonded Medical Places scheme, which drafts students for six-year rural terms with absolutely no incentives - financial or otherwise," Mr Mitchell said. AMSA is pleased to see some realistic and incentive-driven solutions put on the table for Indigenous communities, and believes these solutions can be easily adapted for implementation in other rural and regional areas of health workforce need.

Mr Mitchell warned against a knee-jerk increase in medical student numbers as a response to workforce shortages and concerns over the state of Indigenous health. "We must be vigilant in monitoring the number of medical students we commit to educate in the coming years. A knee-jerk increase in numbers without the requisite funding and clinical training resources would prove disastrous," Mr Mitchell said.

"An increase without adequate planning threatens to compromise the quality of medical education and the high standards of healthcare delivery. This is not in the best interests of rural and remote Australia."

http://www.amsa.org.au

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