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Webinar discusses COVID-19 and the impacts on doctors in training

Dr Nick Coatsworth, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, Dr Hashim Abdeen, Chair, AMA Council of Doctors in Training, Dr Kym Jenkins, Chair, Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges, and Dr Sean Black-Tiong, Deputy Chair of the National Faculty for GPs in Training, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, hosted a webinar on 4 August for an update on COVID-19 and a discussion of issues for doctors in training.

The panel provided key updates and answered a range of questions from participants’ including:

  • What industrial provisions and supports are available to trainees who have exhausted their sick leave.
  • What recommendations are being developed for the conduct of specialist examinations during the COVID pandemic.
  • What is the rationale behind updating guidance on wearing masks from surgical masks to N95s for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases.
  • What exemptions will be made to travel restrictions to allow trainees who live/work interstate away from family to return home and to support trainees who need to relocate interstate to continue training and provide essential services.
  • What is being done to ensure the wellbeing of doctors in training is at the forefront of any decisions being made.

Attendees were encouraged to access the free, confidential telehealth mental health services available through the new Drs4Drs Support Service should they need to discuss any aspect of their wellbeing during COVID-19.

You can access the Drs4Drs Support Service here.

You can watch the recording here.

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