Here’s an update on a few of the issues AMA Victoria is working on for members, including:

• Inquiry into Women’s Pain
• Addressing Gender Pay Disparities in Health Services.
   

Inquiry into Women’s Pain

AMAV has provided a submission into the Inquiry into Women’s pain, commending this long-awaited initiative as an important opportunity for improving health outcomes and quality of life for women and girls aged 12 and older.

Our submission examines the impacts, challenges, and potential improvements in managing women’s pain, emphasising the need for multidisciplinary pain management led by specialists and highlighting the importance of female leadership in health services.

Women in Victoria experience significant pain from conditions such as endometriosis, fibromyalgia, and pelvic issues. Government data shows nearly half of the female population is affected, with about one-third reporting unsatisfactory interactions with healthcare providers. This reflects a broader issue where women with chronic pain often feel unheard and undervalued.

Chronic pain impacts quality of life, leading to physical discomfort, social isolation, and mental health challenges like anxiety and depression. The economic burden includes high direct medical costs and indirect costs from lost productivity and caregiver support.

Key challenges include a lack of standardised diagnostic criteria for certain conditions, inadequate educational training for healthcare professionals, and stigma leading to delayed care. Furthermore, MBS item numbers do not fully cover the costs of multidisciplinary consultations and psychological support, resulting in fragmented care and out-of-pocket expenses.

Access to comprehensive pain management services is limited by long wait times and scarcity, particularly in rural areas. Additionally, gender inequality in health leadership affects the development of gender-responsive and trauma-informed care.

AMAV advocates for a multidisciplinary approach to pain management, as exemplified by the Alfred Health Pain Management Centre. We recommend increasing funding for pain management clinics, developing healthcare professional training programs, and personalising care plans.

Promoting female leadership in health services is also essential for advancing research and innovation in women’s health. Additional recommendations include improving access through expanded clinics and telehealth, increasing research funding, advocating for MBS reform, and addressing socioeconomic and geographic disparities in care.

The Inquiry presents a crucial opportunity to address these challenges comprehensively.

AMAV has urged the Government to carefully consider our recommendations to enhance care and improve the quality of life for women with chronic pain in Victoria.

We thank members for their contributions to our submission and appreciate the insights shared.

 

Addressing Gender Pay Disparities in Health Services

As Equal Pay Day approaches on August 19, AMAV is assessing progress in addressing gender pay disparities within health services. This review is essential due to our ongoing concerns about gender pay gaps and unpaid overtime, which disproportionately affect female and non-binary trainees.
 

Key Findings and Concerns

Recent analysis from the Medical Board’s Medical Trainee Survey highlights significant disparities. Female trainees across Australia are less likely than their male counterparts to receive compensation for unrostered overtime. Additionally, female and non-binary trainees often find that such overtime rarely contributes to career advancement.

In our 2022 consultations, AMAV expressed serious concerns about gender pay gaps among doctors in Victorian health services. We are now seeking updates on progress made since then and have requested data from health services on senior medical workforce pay gaps categorised by:

a. Gender (female, male, non-binary, other)
b. Gender and Specialty
c. Gender and Full-Time Consultants
d. Gender and Fractional Consultants
e. Gender and Full-Time Heads of Departments and Clinical Directors
f. Gender and Fractional Heads of Departments and Clinical Directors

AMAV is committed to collaborating with health services to enhance data collection, transparency, and the effectiveness of Gender Equity Action Plans (GEAPs). We appreciate the health services that have already provided valuable data and are dedicated to addressing ongoing issues of discrimination and pay discrepancies to foster a more equitable and supportive environment for all medical professionals.

Our continued advocacy to Ahpra for equitable registration fees for healthcare practitioners who take parental leave is further evidence of our ongoing commitment to addressing gender disparities, regardless of employment situation.