AMSA Convention a ‘wonderful space to find community’

Australia’s next generation of doctors came together to learn, collaborate and connect at the 66^th Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA) National Convention.
 
The Convention took place in Sydney this month – more than 800 medical students from across Australia and New Zealand travelling to take part in the event, with the RACGP AMSA’s platinum partner for 2025.
 
Over the week, students attended a long list of academic sessions, networking opportunities and social activities – all designed to inspire and connect the future doctors.

AMSA President Melody Ahfock told newsGP the convention is one way for students to gain exposure to a variety of specialties, including general practice, and to learn from their peers from across the country.
 
‘The medical student experience is quite unique, especially in the demanding hours, the difficulty of the degree itself, and the career path ahead of all of us,’ she said.
 
‘This is certainly a networking and academic opportunity to connect with all the students … it’s really a wonderful space to find community and support in each other when a lot of us are under a lot of pressure.
 
‘It’s a really great chance to not only celebrate together. but talk about the difficult side of being medical students as well.’
 
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright kicked off the conference with an opening speech to hundreds of students.
 
As part of the jam-packed program, students also attended a breakout session with GPs Dr Kerrie Stewart, Dr Michael Bonning and Dr Emerald Comerford, who each shared their own stories and experiences.
 
The panel discussed the varied career of general practice and the diversity of primary care, and the primary care pathway.
 
Ms Ahfock said the event is also a space for students to discuss what they believe should change to make the experience of being a medical student more positive.
 
For AMSA, the ‘biggest thing that’s on our mind at the moment’ is medical students experiencing ‘placement poverty’, she said.
 
‘We need to ensure that students are supported to not only start their degrees, but finish them too and not have to enter poverty as a result,’ Ms Ahfock said.
 
‘Especially for our students who are from under-represented backgrounds in medicine like rural, regional, remote students, First Nations students, students with disabilities, and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
 
‘These really are the doctors that we need the most.’
 
The RACGP also sponsored five medical students to attend the event, paying for their tickets and providing travel subsidies to those located rurally.
 
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