Medical education stakeholders across Australia have engaged in widespread debate about medical training in universities. In response to this debate, the Australian Government has been undertaking a significant study into the question 'What makes for success in medical education?'
This study has conducted research into graduate learning outcomes, including expected skills and knowledge, and the transition to internship and postgraduate specialist training.
We need to ensure that young doctors completing their undergraduate medical degrees have the right skills, knowledge and professional attitudes to become successful interns in our health systems and to have a solid basis for continued professional learning and research. Their outcomes have a significant impact on our health system, and this study will help to identify the educational factors that affect those outcomes.
The following links provide more information on the key issues identified and the approach that has been used to consider them.
The study was first proposed by the former Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Honourable Dr Brendan Nelson M.P., in an address to the Australian Doctors’ Fund on 18th of February 2005. A Roundtable discussion with peak medical bodies was held on the 26th of May 2005 to discuss the scope and focus of the study. Following the Roundtable, a Steering Committee of key medical education stakeholders met on 19 August 2005 to clarify the scope of the study and to identify the strands of research that should be undertaken.
The Steering Committee endorsed several complementary research methodologies for three separate but related strands of research, to investigate the educational outcomes required and how well those requirements are being met. The research has been undertaken through a combination of contracted consultancies and departmental activities. The findings are being analysed and consolidated in a final report, to inform the future development of undergraduate medical education in Australia.
Strands 1 and 2 examine the knowledge, skills and professional, including cultural, attitudes required to prepare graduates for internship and future specialist training, respectively, while Strand 3 examines models of clinical education and the use of clinical teachers in medical education.
|
Date |
Event |
|
19th August 2005 |
First Steering Committee meeting |
|
28th November 2005 |
Second Steering Committee meeting |
|
30th May 2006 |
Third Steering Committee meeting |
|
12th March 2007 |
Fourth Steering Committee meeting |
An important aspect of the Study was an invited submissions process, to inform and complement the other methodologies used. This provided an opportunity for medical professionals, professional bodies, medical educators, clinical trainers, medical students, graduates and employers to contribute their views to the Study.
The submissions process was initially open between early January and early March 2006. A number of submissions were received and these are available on the submissions page.
In order to allow further opportunity for major stakeholders to contribute, the study’s submissions process was extended. The extended submissions process closed on 31 August 2006. Further details are also available on the submissions page.
Consultants undertook a series of surveys, focus groups and interviews of:
- Medical students, who were in either their second or final year of undergraduate study, and medical graduates who were in their first five postgraduate years of medical practice; and
- Employers of graduates of Australian medical schools and clinical supervisors and educators of Australian medical graduates.
Two literature reviews were completed under separate consultancies, one examining literature on clinical education in undergraduate medicine and the other examining literature on outcomes required from medical education.
We expect to make the consultants’ research reports available on this website in late 2008. A synthesis report is being prepared, to pull together and summarise the key findings from the research, and is expected to be available on the website in late 2008.
Note: clarification of some key terminology used in study documents is available on the terminology page.
This website is under review and will be updated as the study progresses.
For enquiries related to this study, please contact the Medical Education Study Secretariat on: (02) 6211 6266
Email: medical.study@deewr.gov.au
Postal Address:
Medical Education Study
Department of Education, Science and Training
Location 113
GPO Box 9880
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Please note: The Secretariat is not able to respond to enquiries seeking general information about Australian undergraduate or postgraduate medical education or from prospective students who are interested in studying medicine in Australia. For information about studying medicine in Australia please visit the Study in Australia website 
. For information about assessment to practise medicine in Australia please visit the Australian Medical Council website .