Unis the missing link in reform commission’s training plans

THE Federal Government’s health reform commission has ignored the vital role of universities in doctor training, Australia’s leading medical schools have warned.

In its submission to the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission’s (NHHRC) interim report, the Group of Eight medical schools said a boost in funding for infrastructure would lead to the development of innovative training models for future doctors.

“Universities which teach the various health disciplines are best placed to develop multidisciplinary approaches to primary and specialist health care, and to apply a research culture and methodology which enables the evaluation of outcomes,” the submission stated.

“We are concerned that your interim report seems to miss the opportunity to allow universities to play such a role.”

GP and University of Sydney professor of general practice Dr Tim Usherwood supported the NHHRC interim report’s recommendation for the establishment of comprehensive primary healthcare centres but said greater investment in trainers and better links with medical schools would be required.

“I think that is the way we have got to go in primary care... I think maybe that has not been spelled out [by the NHHRC],” he said.

An NHHRC spokesman said the commission had consulted with the Group of Eight and its concerns would be considered in the commission’s final report.