Postgraduate Training in Australia
The AMA is a medico political organisation representing the interests of its members and is not involved with the selection process for entry into the specialty training programs in Australia. The Learned Colleges are responsible for training and assessment of overseas qualifications and experience for entry into their training program. Please refer to related links for contact details of the Colleges.
Consumer Health Information
The AMA is a medico political organisation representing the interests of its members and does not offer clinical advice on an individual basis. For information on a range of health topics you may wish to look at the Commonwealth Government's health information website at: www.healthinsite.gov.au
If you have a query in relation to medicines you can contact the Medicines Line on 1300 888 763. This national telephone service has been established by the National prescribing Service (NPS) to help the public make sense of their medicines through:
- Access
- Quality
- Evidence
- Independent information
Health / Medical Workforce / Disease ¡V Statistical Data
The AMA is primarily a medico political organisation representing the interests of its members and does not retain a full listing of all current health/medical data. Statistical information is available from the following websites:
Referrals to GPs/Specialists
The AMA is primarily a medico political organisation and has membership of approximately 50 per cent of doctors in Australia. The AMA does not refer to any individual medical practitioner or group of practitioners. Your GP would be best placed to refer you to a relevant specialist to treat your particular medical condition. If, for some reason your GP does not have a list of specialists he/she should contact the Specialist Medical College for a list of practitioners in your area. In discussion with your GP you could then decide to whom you wish to be referred. For contact details for the Medical Colleges please refer to related links.
The AMA is not able to provide you with a list of GPs in your area who bulk bill. You should direct your query to the Division of General Practice which covers the area in which you are seeking a general practitioner. You can find a full listing of the Divisions at: http://www.gp.org.au/
Complaints Against Medical Practitioners or the Health System
The AMA is primarily a medico political organisation and has membership of approximately 50 per cent of doctors in Australia. It does not deal directly with complaints around individual doctors and their care. These matters are best referred to either the State Branch of the AMA (please refer to related links for contact details of each Branch) in which the alleged incident took place or the authority in each State/Territory at http://www.choice.com.au/viewArticle.aspx?id=100901&catId=100392&tid=100008&p=4 which deals with complaints against the health system or health care providers.
AMA's Code of Ethics
The AMA's Code of Ethics covers the relationship between:
- the doctor and patient;
- the doctor and the profession; and
- the doctor and society.
Most if not all medical institutions/organisations in Australia adhere to a code of ethical behaviour based on the principles in the Hippocratic Oath. Ethics is defined in the Random House Dictionary of the English Language as 'the body of moral principles or values governing or distinctive of a particular culture or group'. Medical Ethics has been defined as 'the obligations of a moral nature which govern the practice of medicine ... they are the common possession of the medical profession and members are expected both by fellow doctors and by the society in which their patients are found to adhere to them'.
The AMA's Code of Ethics is a voluntary guide to its members. There is no legal enforceability to the AMA's Code of Ethics. Doctors do not have to be a member of the AMA to become registered as a medical practitioner. By becoming members of the AMA doctors agree to abide by the AMA's Code.
As indicated above doctors are not compelled to be members of the AMA, however, they do have to be registered with an Australian Medical Board. It is these Medical Boards who have the power to deal with any breaches of medical misconduct.
There would be an indirect affect on doctors if a professional Code of Ethics did not exist. A Code of Ethics draws a line for the behaviour of doctors, it also informs the public of what expectations they should have of their doctor and it links medical bodies worldwide.
AMA's Objectives and Successes
Students wishing to obtain information regarding the AMA's objectives and successes as a lobby group should refer to the lastest AMA Annual Report. Other suggested sources of information are the AMA's fortnightly magazine "Australian Medicine", Media Releases and Speeches which are available from this website.
Prescription/Complementary Medicines
In Australia the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) was set up to provide a national framework for the regulation of therapeutic goods and ensure their quality, safety and efficacy prior to release into Australia. Further information regarding the TGA is available from their website at: http://www.tga.gov.au
You may also wish to contact the Australian Customs Office as there is a prohibited imports list. More information can be obtained from the Australian Customs Service website at: http://www.customs.gov.au/osgoods.htm. This site also gives you a telephone and e-mail contact for Customs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Fees
For all your frequently asked questions about fees.
Frequently asked questions about public health and ethics issues.