Leaders from more than 50 of Australia’s medical colleges, associations and societies will gather in Canberra today to discuss issues facing Australia’s healthcare sector and the reforms needed to support access to high-quality care for patients.
Australian Medical Association President Dr Danielle McMullen said one of the highlights of the day would be a discussion on innovation and disease prevention.
“We are very excited to have a high-profile panel to discuss this important issue, including the new Director General of the Centre for Disease Control, Professor Zoe Wainer,” Dr McMullen said.
“We know that investing in prevention is vital and yet only two per cent of health funding in Australia goes to prevention. We need a paradigm shift in how governments approach healthcare.
“Governments continue to view healthcare as a cost to be managed, rather than an investment to be made in Australia’s future — and this mentality is hurting our economy. While life expectancy remains high, Australians are also spending more years in poor health — limiting their ability to take part in work or in the community.”
More than 780,000 Australian workers are now aged 65 and over, compared with 416,000 ten years ago. Keeping people healthy for longer is essential to being able to maintain this workforce. Evidence shows healthy people are more likely to participate in the workforce for longer, contribute to society, spend into the economy and require less expensive care.
Workforce will also be discussed at the meeting, with a session on how to train, support and engage future doctors.
Chair of the AMA’s Council of Doctors in Training Dr Sanjay Hettige, who will facilitate the session, said that despite high satisfaction rates with training quality, the most recent Medical Training Survey found one in three doctors in training reported experiencing or witnessing unacceptable workplace behaviours in the past year.
“The AMA is particularly alarmed that one in 10 trainees — rising to one in six Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees — are considering leaving medicine within the next year,” Dr Hettige said.
“With 37 per cent of trainees concerned about future employment and 29 per cent worried about completing their training, urgent intervention is needed to secure the medical workforce and ensure patients can access high quality and timely care.
“The AMA is urging governments, health services and training providers to implement comprehensive anti-bullying strategies, manage the risks of fatigue more effectively and invest in robust mental health support systems — which must include committing to the Every Doctor Every Setting Framework and action plan.”
Dr Hettige said non-clinical workload was also impacting doctors in training, with administrative load only increasing, despite the promise of electronic medical records and digital workflows.
“Interns and residents are spending more hours inputting data, navigating clunky interfaces, and coordinating tasks that should squarely sit with dedicated administrative teams,” Dr Hettige said.
“If we want a sustainable workforce and a health system that uses its people wisely, we must reduce the administrative burden on doctors in training. That means investing in people, embracing safe and evidence-based AI, and ensuring that those who do the work are at the table when decisions are made. Our future workforce depends on it.”
Colleges, associations and societies represented at the meeting
Australian Society of Ophthalmologists
Australian Diabetes Society
College of Intensive Care Medicine of Australia & New Zealand
Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society
Australasian Sleep Association
Australasian Association of Nuclear Medicine Specialists
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians
National Association of Specialist Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Australian And New Zealand Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons
Australian And New Zealand Gastro-oesophageal Surgeons Association
Australasian College of Dermatologists
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists
General Surgeons Australia
General Practice Registrars Australia
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
Australian Orthopaedic Association
Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine
Society of Obstetric Medicine of Australia and New Zealand
Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand
Clinical Oncology Society of Australia
Neurosurgical Society of Australasia
Rehabilitation Medicine Society of Australia and New Zealand
Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists
Australian Society of Psychiatrists
Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges
Australian Society of Anaesthetists
Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology
Royal College of Pathologists Australasia
Internal Medicine Society of Australia and New Zealand
Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons
Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons
Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Australian Diagnostic Imaging Association
National Association of Specialist Obstetricians and Gynaecologist
Human Genetics Society of Australasia
The Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery
Australian Indigenous Doctors Association
Australia New Zealand Trauma Society
Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine
Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation
Australian Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists
The Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand
Medical Board of Australia
Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand
Australasian College for Emergency Medicine
Australian Medical Council
Australian Rheumatology Association
Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians
Gastroenterological Society of Australia
Medical Oncology Group of Australia
Australia and New Zealand Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand
Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators
