ACRRM registrars in a league of their own in meeting key workforce priorities

The release of the 2022 Medical Training Survey this week strongly demonstrates that Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) registrars continue to lead the way in providing a skilled medical workforce in rural, remote, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. 

The survey, which was undertaken by the Medical Board of Australia and Ahpra, contains feedback from more than 21,000 doctors in training throughout Australia, including ACRRM registrars. 

ACRRM President Dr Dan Halliday says this year’s results again show ACRRM registrars are in a league of their own in meeting key workforce needs for Australia.  

“They are by far the trainees most likely to be based in rural areas, planning to continue working in rural practice, seeking to work in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare and to support training of future workforces,” Dr Halliday says. 

“Compared to the average for general practice trainees, ACRRM registrars are 35% more likely to be interested in rural practice, and 13% more likely to be interested in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander practice. 

“They are also 11% more likely than general practice trainees on average to be interested in supporting medical teaching and research in the future. 

“The ACRRM Fellowship model continues to draw and cultivate the kind of doctors that our country desperately needs, and we are so proud of them all,” Dr Halliday says. 

“As the only College program entirely dedicated to rural and remote workforce outcomes, the College was buoyed by the news that 81% of ACRRM registrars indicate they would recommend their rural training position to colleagues. 

“However, the survey also highlights just how hard our registrars are working and ACRRM continues to advocate for better support for their training and their practice to keep them doing what they do,” Dr Halliday says. 

The survey indicates that ACRRM registrars were 14% more likely than general practice trainees on average to report a heavy or very heavy workload, 17% more likely to report that their job responsibilities are impacting their ability to meet their training requirements.  

“The surveys feedback is especially important as the College expands and has a direct relationship with AGPT registrars now transitioned to ACRRM-led training. 

“The College takes special note of the Medical Board’s recognition that bullying, harassment, discrimination and racism in the workplace continue to be serious issues for doctors in training.  

“It will be a priority for the College to use its expanded capacity to support registrars and training practices and to further promote positive cultures in the workplaces in which registrars train. 

“We keep hearing calls from governments for solutions to our rural healthcare crisis, our registrars are shining a torch on the way forward, all we ask is that governments ensure they get the support they need to do the job they do,” Dr Halliday says.