AMA backs targets to increase diversity in the medical workforce
In January, AMA President, Dr Michael Gannon, released the AMA Position Statement on Equal Opportunity in the Medical Workforce. Led by the AMA Council of Doctors in Training, the position statement calls for targets to increase the proportion of women in health leadership positions, and the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the medical workforce.
“The medical workforce should reflect the diversity of the patients it cares for. Doctors from diverse backgrounds bring skills and perspectives that enable the medical workforce to be more responsive and empathetic, not only to individual patient needs but to broader community needs,” Dr Gannon said.
“The AMA recognises that there is an under-representation of women in leadership positions in the medical workforce, and an under-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout the health care sector.
“The AMA supports realistic targets to address the current under-representation in the medical workforce, including medical students, of women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”
In support of this the AMA Federal Council agreed to the establishment of a committee on equity, inclusion and diversity, to report to Federal Council on steps taken to develop programs that promote the engagement of women doctors in leadership positions within the AMA, and development of principles to guide appointment to leadership positions.
Read media release
Read AMA Position Statement on Equal Opportunity in the Medical Workforce
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