AMSA: Medical Workforce Worthy Of Attention, Australia

Main Category: Medical Students / Training
Article Date: 12 Dec 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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The Australian Medical Students' Association (AMSA) welcomed the Prime Minister and Health Minister Nicola Roxon's commitment to undertake a national audit of Australia's health workforce shortage.

AMSA National President Mr. Rob Mitchell said, "a comprehensive evaluation of the nature of this workforce crisis is long overdue. It is imperative that we have a solid understanding of where the problems lie if we are to have any hope of solving them."

With rural and regional areas of Australia most severely affected by the medical workforce shortages, we must do more to attract and retain doctors and other health professionals to these areas specifically.

International research suggests that medical students provided with early, positive experiences in rural Australia are far more likely to return and work in rural areas. The Government's pledge to increase the number of John Flynn scholarships is a step in the right direction, but more can be done to promote the positives of rural medicine.

"Rural Clinical Schools are a great example of a successful program. But there are many initiatives that require urgent attention. The HECS Reimbursement Scheme needs additional funding commitments if it is to succeed in its aims, and the Bonded Medical Places Scheme requires significant change. The Bonding element of this Scheme breeds negative attitudes towards rural medicine. We must eliminate bonding and supplement these existing programs with more positive incentives.

"We must also bolster rural and regional General Practices with additional infrastructure and resources specifically for the education of medical students and Junior Doctors," said Mr. Mitchell.

"With a doubling in the number of medical students over the next three to five years, we must plan now for the expansion of clinical teaching environments; particularly in the community care sector. Improving the quality of medical education resources in rural areas will attract young doctors to these regions of workforce need.

"An audit of the current situation is vital if we are to solve this medical workforce shortage effectively with any hope of long-term success."

Australian Medical Association

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