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New doctors hit the wards
Victoria's newest doctors-in-training (DITs) hit the wards this week, with around 350 taking up intern positions at public hospitals around the state.
All doctors must spend at least one year as an intern in a public hospital before they are able to apply for the specialty training programs. They are rotated throughout the hospital during the year to experience a number of medical specialties.
AMA Victoria President, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, said the young doctors will face a number of challenges differing to those of the previous generations.
"Newly graduated medical students entering the public hospital system are exposed to a highly complex environment. However the professional and personal rewards that come from what is a true vocation will follow a DIT throughout their working life" said Dr Haikerwal.
"Young doctors work in a time of rapid scientific discovery. Throw in excessive medical indemnity costs, working hours and government regulations that affect the choice of specialty and you have a work environment full of highly charged emotions and responsibilities."
"It is for these reasons we have seen steady decline in interest by doctors for specialties such as neurosurgery and obstetrics."
Dr Haikerwal was quick to point out that doctors now enter the workforce with a changed attitude to that of their predecessors
"Young doctors no longer put up with long shifts that leave them fatigued, nor inflexible training programs that discriminate against women and men who want to spend time with families and friends and pursue interests outside of medicine."
This shift in mentality is mirrored in many initiatives developed by AMA Victoria focused on improving the working environment for junior doctors, thereby minimising risk and maximising patient care
"The AMA has played an integral part in this mind-shift, doing all it can as the peak representative body to ensure medicine is transforming into a more family friendly, socially acceptable career - balancing both professional and personal fulfillment" said Dr Haikerwal.
"We welcome our new colleagues and wish them every success in their professional pursuits."
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