scholarly journals Trends and applicant characteristics in New Zealand: Radiation oncology versus radiology

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-60
Author(s):  
Yassar Alamri ◽  
Khalid Alsahli ◽  
Danus Ravindran
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Radiation Oncology ◽  
Vocational Training ◽  
Medical Officer ◽  
International Medical Graduates ◽  
Anecdotal Evidence ◽  
Medical Graduates ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Zealand College ◽  
Shed Light

Introduction: Previous research has projected future shortages in radiation oncologistsin Australia. Anecdotal evidence also suggests a similar pattern in New Zealand, howevershortages in the radiology workforce have not been forecast to date. The present study aimed to examine the trends in applications for radiation oncology and radiology positions in New Zealand.Methods: Data were collected on vocational training applicants and senior medical officer (SMO, consultant) positions from 2009 to 2016. Data were obtained from publicly-available data on the New Zealand Ministry of Health and Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) websites.Results: Compared with radiation oncology, applications to radiology significantly outnumbered the available positions—a trend that escalated between 2009 and 2016. In addition, the radiation oncology SMO workforce in New Zealand attracted progressively fewer local graduates (i.e., more international medical graduates) compared with radiology over the period studied.Conclusions: This is the first study to shed light on trends in applications to the two specialties overseen by RANZCR in New Zealand. Future efforts should focus on attracting more trainees to radiation oncology and addressing factors underlying the apparent discrepancies between the two specialties, as well as the mental health and wellbeing of trainees.

scholarly journals The rural medical generalist workforce: The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners’ 2014 workforce survey results

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deanne L. Wong ◽  
Garry Nixon
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Hospital Medicine ◽  
International Medical Graduates ◽  
Medical Graduates ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Zealand College

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Previous surveys have revealed a New Zealand rural medical generalist workforce that is mainly male, older and dependent on international medical graduates (IMGs). AIMS To provide a snapshot of the New Zealand rural medical generalist workforce in 2014 and to make comparisons with the urban medical generalist workforce. To assess future workforce losses and find ways to address them. METHODS In March/April 2014, a survey of members of The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners used the SurveyMonkey tool. A comparative analysis was undertaken ofself-identified rural and urban respondents. RESULTS The response rate was 55.9% (2525/4514). Of the 2203 working respondents, 17.1% self-identified as rural, working in rural general practice or rural hospital medicine. Compared with urban respondents, more rural generalists were male (57.5% rural vs 45.5% urban; P < 0.01), aged ≥ 55 years (38.2% rural vs 32.6% urban; P = 0.04) and involved in teaching (53.0% rural vs 30.0% urban; P < 0.01). IMGs were an integral part of the rural generalist workforce (52.8% rural vs 38.7% urban; P < 0.01). More rural generalists worked ≥ 36 h per week (66.8% rural vs 50.4% urban; P < 0.01) and they were more likely to retire within the next 10 years (40.4% rural vs 34.7% urban; P = 0.0417). DISCUSSION The rural medical generalist workforce continues to be mainly male, older and consist of a high proportion of IMGs. Findings confirm the fragility of this workforce and highlight the need for renewed efforts to improve recruitment and retention.

Achieving self-sufficiency: training Australia’s future medical workforce

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 640
Author(s):  
Brian Fernandes ◽  
Edward R. Scheffer Cliff ◽  
Amelia Chowdhury
Keyword(s):  
Vocational Training ◽  
Junior Doctors ◽  
International Medical Graduates ◽  
Medical Workforce ◽  
Rural And Remote ◽  
Remote Areas ◽  
Medical Graduates ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
Self Sufficiency ◽  
Rural And Remote Areas

There is an oversupply of Australian junior doctors, but significant training bottlenecks are developing, and geographical maldistribution in rural and remote areas remains. Last year, the Federal Minister for Immigration rejected a Department of Health recommendation for the removal of 41 health roles from the Skilled Occupation List after concerns that rural and regional communities would be left without access to medical services in areas currently serviced by international medical graduates. In an effort to achieve workforce self-sufficiency, Australia must ensure access to high-quality vocational training places in rural and regional settings while managing immigration of overseas-trained health professionals.

scholarly journals Anaesthesia Workforce in Australia and New Zealand

1997 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. B. Baker
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Population Change ◽  
Age Distribution ◽  
Medical Officer ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Gradual Reduction ◽  
Operating Theatres ◽  
Zealand College ◽  
Population Ratio ◽  
Recent Government

A survey of anaesthetic workforce was undertaken in departments in Australia and New Zealand approved for specialist training by the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists. When compared to a previous survey 17 years before, the results showed that the number of anaesthetics administered rose, the number of operating theatres (OTs) remained the same, but the surgical beds were reduced. There was a small increase (20%) in full-time specialists with a number of vacancies in establishment. There was, however, a large increase (80%) in Visiting Medical Officer (VMO) sessions and a 40% increase in Registrar positions. At the same time there were very large increases in Recovery Room nurses (125%) and Anaesthetic Assistants (100%). From this survey and other recent government workforce reports it is possible to derive certain workforce postulates—a specialist anaesthetist will on average anaesthetize approximately 1000 patients per annum, one in every nine people in the population will have an anaesthetic each year, and the working lifespan of a specialist anaesthetist is 30 years with 5% working half-time or less. All of this suggests that the correct Anaesthetists to Population Ratio (APR) should be reset to 1:8,500 for both Australia and New Zealand. The number of trainees required to supply a steady state replacement for this specialist workforce is also derived and the current number of training positions is shown to be in excess of these requirements. When the current shortfall in specialist anaesthetists is corrected there will need to be a gradual reduction (by approximately 40%) in the number of training positions to prevent an oversupply of anaesthetists. The factors which may potentially alter this forecast are addressed and include: change in the general population; ageing of the population; change in the average number of anaesthetics administered per anaesthetist per year; alteration in anaesthetists’ working lifespan; change in the age distribution of anaesthetists; increased economic usage of operating theatres and changes in the number of College approved training positions.

scholarly journals International sore throat guidelines and international medical graduates: a mixed methods systematic review

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen J. Hoare ◽  
Erin Ward ◽  
Bruce Arroll
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Rheumatic Fever ◽  
Sore Throat ◽  
Acute Rheumatic Fever ◽  
International Medical ◽  
Rural Practice ◽  
International Medical Graduates ◽  
Medical Graduates ◽  
Rich Countries

ABSTRACT AIM To examine national and international guidelines on sore throat management and subsequently, to explore the phenomenon of international medical graduates working in general and rural practice in New Zealand. METHOD Two separate systematic reviews were conducted that resulted in a contingent methodology. Contingent methodologies involve syntheses of data that are derived sequentially. The initial review for this study examined international sore throat guidelines and their key points. The results of this initial review resulted in the theory that international medical graduates may be unaware of the New Zealand specific sore throat guidelines and the problem of acute rheumatic fever in this country. The subsequent review examined the phenomenon of international medical graduates working in general or rural practice in New Zealand. Data sources were Medline, Google Scholar, Trip Database, and NHS Evidence, Embase and Scopus. Electronic databases were searched for relevant data published January 2000–December 2013. Additional hand searches found key references from articles and websites. RESULTS International guidelines for the management of sore throats differ from New Zealand guidelines. Of resource rich countries, New Zealand has the second highest number of international medical graduates: they may not use New Zealand specific sore throat guidelines. DISCUSSION Acute rheumatic fever is virtually eradicated in most resource rich countries. Rheumatic fever rates of among indigenous Māori and Pacifika people in New Zealand have failed to reduce over the last three decades. Knowledge and actions of international medical graduates in relation to sore throat management needs investigating. KEYWORDS Sore throats; acute rheumatic fever; clinical guidelines; international medical graduates; mixed methods review

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