Role of the Doctor position statement consultation

The AMA invited you to participate in a short survey to assist with developing an updated position statement on the role of the doctor. This consultation is a critical opportunity to ensure a new statement reflects the evolving expectations of the profession and society, and to reinforce the doctor’s central role in delivering high-quality, patient-centred care. 

The survey drew a broad and geographically diverse cross‑section of the medical profession — GPs, specialists, doctors in training, career medical officers and retired/non‑practising doctors — from every Australian state and territory (plus some overseas‑trained and offshore respondents), spanning metropolitan and regional/rural practice and all career stages, with most respondents being AMA members. 

Across responses, the dominant message was to ensure the statement assertively defends doctors’ leadership as medical experts and clearly distinguishes their depth of medical training and accountability from other roles. This is especially clear amid concerns about scope creep and role substitution by non‑medical practitioners and the perceived risks to patient safety and continuity of care.