Intern and Residents Guide 2012 - The Australian Medical Students ...

Words from the Australian Medical
Association - Council of Doctors in Training
Congratulations on your impending graduation. Not only have you
qualified as a doctor, you need never pull a beer, work in a call centre or
participate in a drug trial again!
As you transition from one phase of medical training to the next, you’ll
receive accolades from many corners. Enjoy and bask in the glory. You
have worked hard and deserve all of the compliments.
Your progression to this point has not been without assistance; family,
friends, lecturers and supervisors have all conspired to help you reach
graduation. As you enter the medical profession, consider the AMA as a
new source of support and advice.
Just like the Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine, AMA membership is
an essential resource for internship. The AMA is the peak representative
body for medical practitioners, and doctors in training (DIT) issues are
high on its agenda. It also speaks out about important public health
issues, such as climate change and alcohol related harms.
At a federal level, the AMA’s advocacy for DITs in coordinated by the
Council of Doctors in Training (AMACDT). The main focus of our agenda
is medical education. At the present time, we are working hard to ensure
that all graduates have access to high quality internships and vocational
training positions. We also campaign frequently about workplace issues,
including doctors’ health, safe hours and work-life flexibility. You can find
out more about our work by visiting ama.com.au/dit or facebook.com/
amacdt.
4 Australian Medical Students’ Association
AMACDT also dedicates a lot of energy into producing useful resources
for DITs. In the last year, for instance, you may have seen the Guide
to Online Professionalism as well as the Guide to Working Abroad for
Australian Medical Students and Junior Doctors. I would encourage you
to download a copy of these documents, which were both produced
jointly with AMSA.
Despite the AMA’s considerable influence, it is only as strong as its
membership. The more of us there are calling for better quality training,
the louder our collective voice will be. I strongly encourage you to join
the AMA, so you can get the results you want from your career.
Best of luck with your internship and beyond. We know that you will
make an important contribution to Australia’s health system and the lives
of your patients.
Congratulations once again!
Rob Mitchell
Chair, AMA Council of Doctors in Training