By Dr Stephanie Davies
On behalf of the Doctors in Training Subdivision, welcome to AMA Victoria and congratulations on reaching the start of your internship. It will be a big year full of learning, new responsibilities and challenges.
I started my internship in January 2020. I remember feeling a little bit excited, a little bit scared. I was an intern at St Vincent’s and I’ll never forget the friends I made, the Gertrude Street coffees and how much time I spent worrying about high potassium. As a paediatric trainee, these days my patients are a bit smaller than they were then. My coffees don’t taste quite the same and although I probably do still worry about a high potassium, it’s not quite as much. We all remember what it’s like to be an intern. We remember running down the corridor to catch up with the surgical ward round, being asked to reformat the patient list correctly (true story – twice) and mustering up the courage to ask what feels like a silly question (promise it’s not). If there’s one piece of advice I could give you, it’s don’t hesitate to ask for help. And if you’re at St Vincent’s – get a coffee from Sonido.
As an AMA member, you’ve joined a supportive, growing community of doctors at all stages of their careers, from fellow interns and trainees through to specialists and industry leaders and doctors who are nearing or in retirement. We’re here to support and advocate for you during this transition, and throughout your career. In Victoria you are a member of both AMA Victoria and ASMOF (Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation) – the Australian trade union representing salaried doctors.
The Doctors in Training Subdivision meets every month to discuss issues of interest to junior doctors. Topics range from workplace challenges and strategies to training programs and public health policy. All members are welcome to attend meetings and contribute to the discussion. We meet on the second Wednesday of each month. Our next meeting will be held online on Wednesday 14 January at 7pm (meeting details are always sent the week prior), and there will be in person meetings throughout the year. Positions for our subdivision council representatives will also open in the next couple of months, so keep an eye out. There are many opportunities to become involved, make connections and make sure your voice is heard.
I wish you the best of luck for the year ahead. We’re all here to support you, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can call AMA Victoria on 03 9280 8722, email [email protected] or email me directly at [email protected].
We are so happy to have you join AMA Victoria and the Doctors in Training Subdivision. I look forward to meeting you soon.
Steph
Dr Stephanie Davies is a Paediatric Trainee and Chair of the Doctors in Training Subdivision at AMA Victoria.