The Australian Experience

Abstract

The national scene in Australia is changing rapidly, in trade and immigration patterns, population age and disease profile, and no less in medical education where calls for innovation have been accompanied by budget cutbacks. In 1985, the Australian Medical Council (AMC) was established to provide the first local accreditation of medical schools and courses, and its activities have provided a forum for discussion of medical school reform. Since 1985, eight initiatives have been shaping medical education in Australia: (a) the AMC, (b) the Better Health Commission on preventive health care, (c) the Commonwealth Public Health Initiative on postgraduate education for public health, (d) the Doherty report on the future of the medical work force and its training, (e) added government funding for university chairs, and centers for public health issues, (f) a national health strategy on developing options for rationalizing medical costs, (g) higher education reform proposing to amalgamate universities and colleges of advanced education, and (h) the National Office for Overseas Skills Recognition on developing a competency test for overseas and, possibly, Australian graduates. The University of Newcastle Medical School's curriculum development and influence are described. © 1991, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.