The AMA Council of Doctors-in-Training (AMACDT) held its quarterly meeting in Sydney on 26/27 July 2008. DiTs from every state and territory were in attendance, as were trainee representatives from the Royal College of Pathology of Australasia, Australia & New Zealand Association of Psychiatric Trainees, Royal Australasian College Surgeons Trainees Association, and the General Practice Registrars Association. Discussions included the implementation of the Australian Curriculum Framework, the future of the Prevocational General Practice Placement Program, the doctors’ health campaign, and developments in networked training. Staff members from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists attended to discuss trainee concerns. Discussions included the College’s efforts to deal with harassment and bullying issues, examination results, and the College’s Curriculum Improvement Program. The AMACDT will maintain channels of communication with the College to follow progress in these areas.
DOCTORS’ e-COHORT STUDY
The Doctors' e-Cohort Study has been established to examine factors influencing the career decisions of Australian doctors and medical students, and the recruitment and retention of doctors in metropolitan, rural and remote regions. Funded by the Australian Research Council in partnership with Queensland Health and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the study follows cohorts of medical students and graduate doctors through their careers. Participants will be asked to complete an annual electronic survey to explore how various factors impact upon recruitment and retention. Participate in this important study by logging on to the study website at: http://www.e-cohort.net/
AUSTRALIAN MUSCULOSKELETAL EDUCATION COMPETENCIES (AMSEC) PROJECT
The AMSEC project is an initiative funded by the Department of Health and Ageing to develop national competency guidelines in musculoskeletal medicine for final year medical students and interns. These guidelines encompass basic and clinical science, physical examination, 'red flag' emergencies management, patient education, procedural skills and rehabilitation management. The AMACDT would like to encourage DiTs to provide feedback on the draft competency 'mindmaps' currently under development. Visit http://www.amsec.org.au/ for more information or contact tgoodacre@ama.com.au if you wish to review the draft competency documents (up to September 2008 when the consultation process is to be completed).
RESEARCH IN THE PREVOCATIONAL YEARS
The extent of research amongst prevocational junior medical officers and their attitudes towards resident research experience are being assessed in an online survey. The results of this survey will be submitted for presentation at the upcoming Prevocational Medical Education Forum in Hobart, 9-12 November 2008. This survey is being run until 1 September 2008 and all resident medical officers are invited to take part, irrespective of research experience. If you wish to participate, and to have the chance to win a chance to win a Classic Littman II Stethoscope, click here. More information about the survey may be obtained from Drs Edwina Moore (edwinamoore@yahoo.com) or Violet Kieu (violet.kieu@gmail.com)