Country report: Australia

Abstract

The last 10 years has been an interesting time for Australian medical education despite reduced funding. There are five main workforce trends: a rural/urban maldistribution, a need for more specialists, public hospital staffing difficulties, increasing female practitioners and under-representation of indigenous practitioners. Lack of resources is a problem facing Deans, with pressure for clinical service in teaching hospitals. Entrepreneurial activities have been undertaken including the enrollment of overseas students. Medical schools have also responded to important government initiatives. Australia's 11 medical schools have undergone significant reform in the last decade. There is a mix of four (graduate), five and six year courses. AUSTRALIA'S NEW MEDICAL SCHOOL: James Cook University opened the first medical school in northern Australia in 2000. The School admits students from rural, northern Australian and indigenous backgrounds. It has a strong regional mission. RURAL AND COMMUNITY-BASED EDUCATION: Government funding to address the maldistribution of the workforce has led to the establishment of rural clubs, Departments of Rural Health and community-based programs. There have been recent moves to improve education in the two years following graduation. This includes the initiation of national projects in curriculum and assessment. Postgraduate programs in Australia are being reformed to build on the changes in undergraduate education. CME is also under review. Australian medical educators should build on the recent reforms and take on some of the new directions in medical education.