Research supports need for improved training for junior doctors

AMSA has long been a vocal advocate for the importance of high quality training throughout the medical education continuum.

The study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) linked the influx of new trainee doctors in the early months of the year with 40 per cent increase in the number of medical errors.

AMSA President Tiffany Fulde said, “This data emphasises the importance of junior doctor training. We must ensure all junior doctors have access to high quality training and supervision, to enable them to provide a high standard of healthcare to patients.

We need to work hard to create an adequate number of high quality trainee positions, and high quality supervisors.”

AMSA believes that training resources are already stretched, and has repeatedly argued for the need to provide more support for the supervisors of trainees.

“Building our training capacity is an even greater priority in light of the imminent increased pressure that will be put on hospital training with the rapid increase in medical graduates,” Fulde continued.

AMSA calls on governments and hospital administrations to ensure all junior doctors receive high quality teaching and adequate resources, and to provide better support to supervisors.

“We look forward to working with all stakeholders to improve this situation and make sure Australia's patients are receiving the best possible healthcare all year round,” said Fulde.