Meet a member - Dr Emma Hodge

Now a trailblazer in her field, she discovered her love for neuroscience and medicine after commencing a psychology degree while still in high school.

“Neuroscience was my favourite aspect of psychology, and during my second year, I undertook an elective in anatomy and physiology,” Dr Hodge said.

“This sparked my realisation that medicine was a perfect career, as it enabled me to learn about the whole body and combined people, problem solving and purpose.”

Her career has largely been shaped by personal experiences as a patient within the healthcare system, where she realised the importance of patient-centred care and the need for systemic improvements across the healthcare sector.

“Overcoming personal health challenges has deepened my passion for wellbeing, motivating me to advocate for better support systems for both patients and medical professionals,” she said.

“Since finishing medical school, I have completed my Master’s in Public Health and a Master of Human Nutrition, which has broadened my clinical knowledge and research skills.

“I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work as a Public Health Registrar during the COVID-19 pandemic which opened my eyes to the possibilities of improving health at a population level, rather than just improvements in individual patient care.”

Currently completing her specialist training in medical administration, she also works in Queensland’s only dedicated medical wellbeing role.

As the Medical Education and Wellbeing Registrar for the Regional Medical Pathway at Bundaberg Hospital, Dr Hodge is focused on supporting prevocational doctors with education, career progression and implementing wellbeing initiatives to attract and maintain a sustainable medical workforce.

“A valuable aspect of my role is the peer-based approach, which serves as an effective channel between prevocational doctors and medical leadership, fostering a more supportive and collaborative environment,” she said.

“One aspect of my job that I love is that every day at work is different – ranging from meetings, emails, teaching, mentoring, career counselling, research and much more.

“I work with a variety of teams in the hospital including the Medical Education Unit, medical workforce and clinical departments, as well as Medical Advisory and Prevocational Accreditation Unit and our local medical schools.

“Most days, I will also have meetings with individual doctors regarding a range of personal or professional issues such as rosters, workload, team dynamics, clinical skills, or burnout, providing them with the necessary support and guidance to thrive in their roles.”

Dr Hodge has been able to channel her passion for improving healthcare at a systematic level for both doctors and patients through her work on AMA Queensland’s Committee of Doctors in Training (CDT).  

“My experience as a junior doctor and seeing the effects of stress and burnout on my peers has motivated me to leverage my role to advocate for systemic change,” she said.

“As the CDT wellbeing lead, my objective is to cultivate an environment where wellbeing is integrated into the fabric of medical training.

“I strive to improve the culture within medicine to prioritise the health and wellbeing of doctors in training, advocating for policies which ensure wellbeing is a cornerstone of medical practice.

“I seek to implement comprehensive support mechanisms that fundamentally transform the training landscape and enhance sustainable working conditions for the medical profession, ensuring wellbeing is always at the core.”

Dr Hodge joined AMA Queensland as a member during her first year of medical school in 2015, seeking connections with likeminded peers and colleagues.

“I became an AMA Queensland member to connect with a broader network of doctors who are collectively dedicated to the advancement of healthcare in Australia,” she said.

“The AMA offers a strong platform for advocacy and innovation.

“Being a member allows me to stay at the forefront of health policy, enabling me to proactively contribute to the ongoing improvements in the healthcare system.”

Having recently presented her work in the State Government’s Clinical Excellence Showcase, Dr Hodge is reaching many of her goals early on in her career. She has also had the opportunity to present her research findings on doctors’ wellbeing at the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators conference in Auckland and the National Prevocational Forum in Perth.

We are fortunate Dr Hodge has chosen to be such an active member and look forward to continue learning from and working with her as part of the CDT and the organisation as a whole.