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Baby Boomer Study Highlights Need To Keep Doctors in the Workforce

AMA President, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, said workforce shortages are going to get worse before they get better, unless we get creative about recruiting and retaining the medical workforce.

Dr Haikerwal was responding to research by Associate Professor Deborah Schofield published in the current issue of the Medical Journal of Australia, which warns of a serious decline in the medical workforce in the 21st century.

"Current shortages are largely due to poor policy put in place in the late 1990s. The Government has limited university places for doctors since the 1990s and only recently has there been an effort to increase places. But it takes ten years to train a GP, so it will be some time before we see any real impact from the additional university places," Dr Haikerwal said.

"Numbers of doctors enrolled in GP training has also been restricted, adding to the forecast long term shortage.

"Complicating medical workforce shortages, is the underfunding of the states' public hospitals. Hospitals must be funded in order to provide on the job training for our up and coming doctors. Without dedicated, experienced senior doctors in place to act as mentors, the future is looking pretty grim for our young doctors.

"The Government has major studies in place looking at workforce issues - including the Productivity Commission study into Health Workforce commissioned by COAG.

"But Schofield's study highlights the need to get back to basics - recruitment and retention.

"The study highlights the significant potential to encourage doctors and nurses to remain in the health workforce - attrition rates for nurses in particular are extremely high.

"In consultation with the profession - state and federal governments need to look at remuneration issues, working conditions, public hospital problems and other strategies that will keep health professionals in the workforce.

"This is a largely untapped area and is vital if Australia is to ensure adequate access to health care into the 21st century as baby boomers approach retirement," Dr Haikerwal said.

CONTACT: Judith Tokley (02) 6270 5471 / (0408) 824 306

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