Expert panel recommends rural training experience for junior doctors

The AMA welcomes the recommendation of an independent expert panel for the Government to re-introduce a program to provide junior doctors with a rural general practice experience as part of their prevocational training. The panel has recommended “that the Government consider a range of options to introduce a program that provides a high quality community medicine and general practice training in rural and remote areas through extended placements for junior doctors”.

The AMA has developed a proposal for a Community Residency Program to support more prevocational training for junior doctors, which satisfies the objectives of the independent panel’s recommendation. The AMA’s Community Residency Program, which is affordable, and would be a very worthy investment in our future medical workforce, has been presented to the Assistant Minister for Health, Fiona Nash, for consideration.