Sixth MABEL Research and Policy Forum

Finding ways to support the medical workforce

7 June 2018

A broad range of issues relating to doctors and medical workforce policy were discussed at the annual MABEL forum, with a focus on relevant MABEL research. The forum was attended by a mix of representatives from the medical colleges, stakeholder organisations, governments and academia.

Session 1: New models of care
This session emphasised the challenges facing the nation’s health system, including:

• the roll-out of My Health Record,
• evolution of digital systems and health technologies, and
• corporatisation of general practice.

Session 2: Improving access through changing the distribution of doctors
The second session addressed the maldistribution of the medical workforce. Topics included:

• streamlining GP training and the new rural generalist training scheme,
• changes to rural bulk-billing incentives and bonded placements,
• the concept of a ‘fit for purpose’ medical workforce to address population needs,
• limiting the need for junior doctors to reapply for jobs annually, and
• using the Department of Health’s Health Demand and Supply Utilisation Patterns Planning (HeaDSUPP) workforce analysis tool to assist with needsbased health workforce planning.

Session 3: Changing the culture of medical training
The final session addressed the issues of:

• workplace aggression,
• unprofessional behaviour,
• anticipating and coping with adverse medical events by instilling a ‘growth mindset’, and
• working conditions as psycho-social stressors that impair health.