The AMA has hosted a forum in Canberra for all medical Colleges, Associations and Societies (CAS) to discuss important issues facing the medical profession.
Presenting to the session were the Australian Government's Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy, Medical Board of Australia Chair Dr Anne Tonkin, Director of Everymind Jaelea Skehan, and AMA President Dr Tony Bartone.
The well attended forum discussed a number of issues, including the national medical workforce strategy; professional performance framework and national training survey; tackling mental ill-health in doctors and medical students; out-of-pocket costs and informed financial consent.
Discussion and questions from the floor were invited, all leading to an informative day for attendees.
Dr Bartone said as a profession, great things are achieved when the various CAS members work together.
"With health at the centre of the political debate, we have a challenge and an opportunity," he said.
"We can influence outcomes of the conversation on out-of-pocket expenses, to move it past a doctors' blame game.
"But only if we are united. If we speak with many voices, if we all have different messages, we will be ignored.
"If we speak with one voice, if we are united and cohesive, we can and will be heard."
Dr Bartone stressed that Australia's health system relies on the balance between the public and private sector.
