Achieving self-sufficiency: training Australia’s future medical workforce

Abstract

There is an oversupply of Australian junior doctors, but significant training bottlenecks are developing, and geographical maldistribution in rural and remote areas remains. Last year, the Federal Minister for Immigration rejected a Department of Health recommendation for the removal of 41 health roles from the Skilled Occupation List after concerns that rural and regional communities would be left without access to medical services in areas currently serviced by international medical graduates. In an effort to achieve workforce self-sufficiency, Australia must ensure access to high-quality vocational training places in rural and regional settings while managing immigration of overseas-trained health professionals.

Understanding the drivers of bottlenecks in RANZCP training: modelling and a calculator to determining sustainable trainee intake

“…O ver recent years, an increasing number of doctors have sought entry into postgraduate training in psychiatry across Australia. Drivers for this may include the dramatic expansion in medical graduates over the past two decades, 1 focused initiatives to generate student and junior doctor interest in the speciality, 2 and increased service demand driving recruitment into training positions. 3 Increasing interest in psychiatry as a profession reflects a shift from the profession being historically viewed as relatively unattractive by medical students.…”

Responding to rural allied health workforce challenges in the public health system: Evaluation of the Allied Health Rural Generalist Pathway pilot in western New South Wales

“…Providing support and supervision whilst working in the rural context can accelerate such skill acquisition safely. 4,[10][11][12][13][14] The AHRGP had not been trialled in New South Wales at the time of this study. There are different demographics and health policy and system structures across states.…”

“…Other attributes, essential in rural practice, might require years of experience to develop such as the ability to practise independently, to be innovative, adaptable and resilient. Providing support and supervision whilst working in the rural context can accelerate such skill acquisition safely 4,10‐14 …”