Reducing inequity part of a doctors calling
The AMA Council of Doctors in Training (AMACDT) recently met with the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA) to discuss vocational training and what can be done to help Indigenous pre-vocational doctors transition through to fellowship.
“It’s one thing to recognise that we don’t have enough Indigenous doctors in Australia to have a truly representative workforce, but it’s another to implement measures that result in graduating fellows”, said Dr John Zorbas, Chair of AMACDT.
To this end, the AMACDT plans to work with AIDA over the coming year to identify how to best support Indigenous trainees through their training, and ensure cultural safety in the workplace. “We want to celebrate initiatives such as the Royal Australian College of Surgeons Reconciliation Action Plan and scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander SET trainees, said Dr Zorbas. “We want to recognise the Australasian College of Dermatology for offering a designated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander training position, with support to complete their training.”
“We want to help the other colleges follow suit. Ideas like this might not be ground-breaking and they might not be sexy, but they achieve results. Only a workforce with Indigenous doctors as leaders can truly serve a population like Australia," Dr Zorbas said.
