GPs in training urged to speak up on future of profession

As the future general practice workforce, it’s ‘incredibly important’ GPs in training have a voice in the Health of the Nation survey.
 
That is according to Chair of RACGP GPs in Training Dr Rebecca Loveridge, who is urging Australia’s future GPs to complete the 2024 survey before this Sunday 12 May.
 
‘These survey results inform the RACGP’s advocacy priorities and demonstrate the importance of advocacy asks to funding bodies,’ she told newsGP.
 
‘The RACGP’s Budget asks regarding the general practice training incentive payments, paid parental and study leave and subsidised funding for rural training pathways are examples of this advocacy in action.’
 
The annual Health of the Nation survey collects evidence on the challenges GPs and GPs in training currently face. The results will shape this year’s General practice: Health of the Nation report which forms a key part of the RACGP’s advocacy platform by providing insight into Australian general practice, and significantly influencing health policy and funding reforms.
 
As RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins recently told newsGP, the survey is members’ chance to have their say about what matters most for their profession and patients.
 
For GPs in training, the stakes are particularly high.
 
‘There are a number of issues facing GPs in training,’ Dr Loveridge said.
 
‘In 2024, our faculty is prioritising progressing entitlements to ensure there is no financial disincentive to enter general practice training, workforce planning including improving career attractiveness and retention, and improving wellbeing supports for GPs in training, particularly for our rural and overseas-trained colleagues.’
 
Dr Loveridge believes this cohort are in ‘a unique position’ to provide solutions to the workforce shortages plaguing general practice, recently highlighting that GPs in training ‘have a lot to lose’, but also hold ‘the power to change the trajectory of the profession’.
 
Last year’s 2023 Health of the Nation report covered the ongoing challenges of attracting medical students and junior doctors into the profession, with a decline in the number of medical students stating general practice as their preferred specialty, even though general practice is still the second most preferred specialty overall.
 
However, other data confirms that GPs in training are largely satisfied with delivery of the Australian General Practice Training Program since the RACGP and ACRRM assumed responsibility in February 2023, with 84% saying they would recommend their current training position to others or their workplace as a place to train.
 
Dr Loveridge said through her role as Chair of the GPs in Training faculty, she has seen firsthand how valued the voices of GP trainees are within the RACGP.
 
‘[I’ve witnessed] the advocacy team’s willingness to act on the things that matter to us,’ she said.
 
‘For any GPs in training reading this: we are the future of the profession, and our voices matter.
 
‘Make sure your voice is heard before the survey closes on Sunday. And as always, as GPs in training members, you can reach out to me.’
 
The 2024 Health of the Nation survey is open until 11.59 pm (AEST) Sunday 12 May, is completely anonymous and conducted by external market research agency, The Navigators. The survey takes around 12 minutes to complete and progress can be paused, with answers saved at any point to finish later.
 
Members who complete the survey have the chance to win a 12-month RACGP membership for 2024–25, as well as gain access to a new reflective CPD activity from late April by logging in to gplearning once they complete the survey. More information is available on the RACGP website.
 
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future of general practice GP survey GPs in training health of the nation RACGP advocacy