Volume 205 - Issue 8
Governing the reform of the medical internship
Authors: Heather G Mack, Helena Filipe and Karl Golnik
Med J Aust 2016; 205 (8): 380. || doi: 10.5694/mja16.00743
Published online: 17 October 2016
Published online: 17 October 2016
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To the Editor:
We agree with the recommendation by Ahern and colleagues1, in response to the independent Review of Medical Intern Training,2 for consistency of governance within the medical training continuum. However, continuing professional development (CPD) was omitted from their description of the medical training continuum. CPD is the most important component of medical education as it covers all registered medical practitioners in Australia — more than 98 000 in 20143 — for the years of their professional practice.
In the article, Box 2 was missing a CPD column where the accrediting body would be the Australian Medical Council (through accreditation of specialist medical education and training); the training organisation would be the vocational college; and the training provider would be the health service or participating clinical site, vocational college and self-directed learning. The existing governance of CPD reinforces the need for improved governance of medical intern training.
We also agree with the authors’ additional recommendation for a national integrated governance structure across all phases of medical training. This would optimise medical training and workforce planning directed towards public health priorities in Australia. As outcomes of CPD include enhanced expertise of individuals and improved public health,4 CPD would be integrally involved in such a governance body. The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada is a good example of an integrated governance structure across the medical education continuum from medical school to retirement.5
References
- Ahern SF, Morley PT, McColl GJ. Governing the reform of the medical internship. Med J Aust 2016; 204: 374-375.
- Wilson A, Feyer AM; Australian Health Ministers Advisory Council. Review of medical intern training: final report. Adelaide: AHMAC; 2015. http://www.coaghealthcouncil.gov.au/Portals/0/Review%20of%20Medical%20Intern%20Training%20Final%20Report%20publication%20version.pdf (accessed June 2106).
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [website]. Australia’s medical workforce. Canberra: AIHW; 2016. www.aihw.gov.au/workforce/medical (accessed June 2016).
- Mazmanian PE, Davis DA, Galbraith R, et al. Continuing medical education effect on clinical outcomes. Chest 2009; 135: 49S-55S.
- Frank JR, Snell L, Sherbino J, editors. CanMEDS 2015 Physician Competency Framework. Ottawa: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada; 2015. http://canmeds.royalcollege.ca/uploads/en/framework/CanMEDS%202015%20Framework_EN_Reduced.pdf (accessed Aug 2016).
Linked content
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MJA Letter: Governing the reform of the medical internship by Ahern and McColl
Roadmap to Support International Medical Graduates for Satisfying Rural General Practice Careers: A Realist Evaluation Approach
Belinda G. O'Sullivan, Kim J. Omond, Neysan Sedaghat
Responding to the Revised First Nations Health and Cultural Safety Accreditation Standards in Australian Primary Medical Education: Institutional Principles and Qualities for Meaningful Progress
Sophie Pitt, Ashlee Williams-Barnes, Ryan Dashwood, Keira Edwards, Paul Saunders
Specialty College Selection: Why Change is Critical to Support a Future Rural Workforce
Matthew R. McGrail, Jenny May AM, Katherine Logan
Mandatory research projects during medical specialist training in Australia and New Zealand
Paulina Stehlik, Caitlin Brandenburg, David A Henry
Mandatory research projects during medical specialist training in Australia and New Zealand
Samuel J White
Mandatory research projects during medical specialist training in Australia and New Zealand
Laura Ross, Jessica Day