CDT Chair update - January
Committee of Doctors in Training Chair Dr Elise Witter talks about the upcoming CDT election, the ward call survey and providing feedback on Queensland Health's 2032 Workforce Strategy.
The CDT is looking forward to recruiting our 2024 team and continuing our work advocating for doctors in training in Queensland. Our nominations for election will be opening soon and remain open for two weeks, keep your eye on our social media and your email for the link.
2023 was a busy year for the committee, with recommendations made to Hospital and Health Services (HHSs) across Queensland around supporting the wellbeing of junior doctors that have been followed up with HHS meetings and supported by the Health Minister. We have placed sustainability on the agenda of the AMA Queensland, developed Professional Development Leave (PDL) awareness materials, consulted on Queensland Health’s online wellbeing module and hosted a destigmatisation webinar on supporting doctors with mental health challenges. We’ve continued to offer industrial relations support with our partners ASMOFQ, and hosted numerous events ranging from the Junior Doctor Conference to pre-internship workshops.
The 2023 Resident Hospital Health Check highlighted worries around safety, fatigue leading to patient errors and bullying and harassment, which we will continue to advocate around. Our work on improving the experience of ward call continues, and we are grateful for the almost 300 doctors-in-training who completed our survey to inform our advocacy in this space. Congratulations to the following doctors who won a $100 Prezzee voucher for completing this survey:
- Dr Andrew Rowlands
- Dr Rebecca Mulcahy
- Dr Liam Scanlon
With widespread staff shortages particularly affecting regional areas, it is more important than ever to have a responsive workforce strategy that reflects the evolving needs of the people of Queensland. Queensland Health have now opened their 2032 Workforce Strategy for consultation – AMA Queensland has made extensive feedback, however we encourage all doctors in training to provide their thoughts on this.
