AMA working with RANZCP to support trainees

The AMA wrote to the President and CEO of RANZCP immediately after the failure outlining the measures we expected the College to have in place to support trainees. The College has been very receptive to our recommendations and has acted quickly to find a solution.

COVID-19 has caused disruption to usual progression through medical training for many trainees, with potentially wide-reaching medical workforce implications including further workforce maldistribution.

Examination failure, cancellation and/or deferral of exams and uncertainty about progression through training are continuing to present challenges for trainees (particularly those approaching Fellowship), supervisors, examiners, and Colleges alike.

This has flow on effects for trainee, supervisor and College staff wellbeing, and can be a cause of financial strain for trainees and represent a significant cost to Colleges.

Contingency planning for examination technical failures was discussed by the AMA Council of Doctors in Training (CDT) Trainee Forum in October 2020. It is disappointing that a year on we are still seeing examples where Colleges appear not to have contingency plans in place.

The AMA would like to see Colleges work collaboratively to explore the feasibility of establishing a common central exam centre(s) (in each jurisdiction) and shared virtual/digital platforms to be used for Written and Clinical Exams and shared by Colleges with exams sequenced accordingly.

DRS4DRS has a confidential telehealth service specifically for doctors and medical students. This service provides at no cost to doctors or medical students, up to three counselling sessions each of one hour, is 24/7 and has a dedicated phone line for the profession 1300 374 377 (1300 DR4DRS). For further information https://www.drs4drs.com.au/getting-help/ 

For more information or to get involved, please contact cdt.chair@ama.com.au