The Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges welcomes the release by the Medical Board of Australia and the Australian Health Practitioner’s Regulating Agency of the results of the Medical Training Survey (MTS), the first national survey of doctors in training in Australia. The online, anonymous survey was completed by nearly 10,000 doctors in training and the results are positive overall with some areas of action required.

Dr Kym Jenkins, Chair, CPMC said Australia has a world class medical education and training system. The development of the survey was to focus attention on where educators, employers and stakeholders may need to make changes aimed at strengthening medical education and improving culture.

“The 2019 MTS results describe the culture and quality of medical training from a trainee’s perspective. In general trainees rated their clinical supervision and teaching very highly and would recommend their current training post. Nearly all respondents indicated they intend to continue in their training program. There is work to be done but overall the training system is strongly oriented to the trainee’s needs.’

Dr Jenkins said that the results provide an evidence base for change. With one third of all respondents having reported either experiencing or witnessing bullying, harassment or discrimination, the actions already underway in the system to improve culture must be strengthened.

Dr Jenkins said that each individual specialist Medical College will have an opportunity to closely examine the results and report on them. As this is designed to be annual, CPMC encourages more doctors in training to participate.

The results of the MTS Survey can be accessed here: www.medicaltrainingsurvey.gov.au

Media Contacts: Ms Angela Magarry 0437227422; or E: ceo@cpmc.edu.au