The Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA) today welcomes publication of the Federal Government’s What Makes for Success in Medical Education? Synthesis Report, which highlights the urgent need for investment in medical education, and warns that the requirement for investment in resources and infrastructure is now more urgent than ever.
President of the Australian Medical Students’ Association Ross Roberts-Thomson said “since the report’s original compilation in 2007 and publication in 2008, the number of medical students in Australia has increased significantly, and will continue to do so at a rapid rate. “Therefore, the findings of the report that there is ‘a lack of funding/finance in both universities and clinical environments’, and that ‘there is an increasing student load with fewer clinical educators and clinical opportunities for students’ are even more significant now than when originally penned,’ he said.
AMSA believes that with the vast increase in medical student numbers, measures must be taken to ensure that the quality of medical education in Australia is maintained. This is especially relevant in clinical settings where there is still an apprentice model of learning. Without more investment in clinical training and resources, quality will be compromised. “Investing in human capital will be essential to ensure quality medical education into the future. Medical students often feel like senior doctors are frequently too busy with clinical responsibilities to adequately teach them, and so hospitals and universities need to be staffed at a level that permits adequate time for teaching and the Government must make this a priority. “In addition an increase in funding allocated to improving and upgrading core training facilities in medical schools and public teaching hospitals is required. This should include new and evolving educational tools such as electronic resources, simulation, and multimedia facilities,” said Mr Roberts-Thomson.
AMSA was heavily involved in the compilation of the report and offers thanks and commendation to the Australian Government for involving key stakeholders, such as AMSA, and for providing a comprehensive document that is accessible to the public.
Media Contact:
Sam Kirchner
P: 0415 680 763
E: publicrelations@amsa.org.au
