Summary
Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service is welcoming a record 43 prevocational doctors who are commencing their internship this year.
Half of these medical graduates are currently completing a comprehensive two-week orientation program, and the others will start throughout the year.
Chief Executive Lisa Blackler welcomes the first group of medical graduates, saying it is a privilege to be involved in the first step of their clinical careers.
“Central Queensland is an ideal starting point in a doctor’s career. We provide a comprehensive transition into medical practice and trainees have access to a great variety of clinical work,” she said.
“It is vital the next generation of healthcare professionals is well supported to ensure the sustainability of health services in our region.
“Our regional and rural hospitals give doctors in training a broad experience.”
After a two-week orientation to the health service, the medical interns will do rotations at various departments and hospitals across Central Queensland as part of a two-year nationally accredited generalist program with placements in Rockhampton, Gladstone, Yeppoon, Emerald and Theodore.
This includes working and building skills as a doctor across terms including Emergency, Cardiology, General Surgery, Orthopaedics, Mental Health, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medicine, and General Practice. They are an important part of our patients’ treating team, working under the supervision of senior doctors in their first few years of work, as well as receiving regular training and education sessions.
The graduates receive a full training program with support and mentorship from experienced doctors in the transition from study to their first years of clinical work.
“We warmly welcome this new group of prevocational doctors to our clinical teams and wish them every success. If they enjoy their early experience, doctors are much more likely to stay or return to work in a regional centre when they’ve completed their specialist training,” Ms Blackler said.