It takes a lot of effort to pursue a career in medicine. Here are some helpful hints to help you get the most out of your medical school experience in Australia.
Make sure your social and study network is well-balanced. To cope with the increasing demands of medical school, it’s critical to develop strong relationships with classmates who are going through the same thing as you are. Non-medical buddies, on the other hand, are just as valuable. It’s probable that your wide variety of interests and abilities contributed to your acceptance to medical school so continue to take advantage of it.
Become a member of the Australian Medical Association as a student. Resources and guidance are available for you to use in your medical profession, both individually and as a collective group. As part of the ASA’s outreach to medical students, all states have created MedSocs or representative councils to represent medical students. One of the ASA’s most important policy-making bodies is the Federal Council, which includes student representation.
Join the AMSA. Medical students in Australia are represented by the Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA), the country’s most prominent student organization. Student-run and representing all Australian medical students, AMSA is one of the most active student organizations in the country.
Consider joining your local medical society. All of Australia’s medical schools have a MedSoc, which is short for Medical Student Organization. A wonderful way to meet people and become engaged is via these groups, which are managed by students who organize activities like sports teams, night outs, and more. Moreover, they provide a wealth of advice on how to succeed in medical school and internships.
Do not take it lightly. You will be required to behave and operate in a manner that is distinct from that of other students. There will be a lot of moving parts to keep track of, so maturity and good time management are a must. Studying may be done in a variety of ways. Don’t compare yourself to other people’s approaches. Discover what works for you.
In the medical field, there is more to it than reading textbooks and attending lectures. Learn about the field of medicine. Read the most recent journal article, case report, or trustworthy medical blog on the subjects you are most interested in. It will assist you in putting all of the ideas you’ve been learning into practice.
Be willing to consider new ideas. You’ll encounter a wide variety of individuals throughout your time in medical school, and each one of them has something to teach you. As a medical student, seeing and doing as much as you can to improve your experience will be of enormous benefit. If you’ve already made up your mind on a specialty, don’t be surprised if you change your mind later on.
Take time to relax and have fun. Make sure you don’t become burnt out while studying medicine by making time to rest regularly. You’ll be better equipped to handle the stress of medical school if you take the time to pursue activities you like.
Have a primary care physician. As a doctor, having a personal doctor to advise you on your health, fitness, and general well-being is essential.
As an intern or postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) doctor, you join the workforce after receiving your medical degree and temporary registration. Internships typically span 12 months and take place at a public hospital, but more and more trainees are opting to spend time, in general practice, in community-based settings, and private hospitals as part of their training. Interns must complete all mandated core rotations (a medical, surgical, and emergency medicine rotation) as well as two non-core rotations to successfully finish their first year of training. You will also need to complete all of your rotations throughout your internship year. To advance in your medical career, you will need to be registered as a medical professional after completing your internship year.
Defining a course of action
Medical training roles are becoming more competitive, therefore monitoring, planning, and assessing your career early on is vital to your success. In addition to the AMA’s Doctorportal e-Learning website, and the AMSA Academy, there are several more online resources accessible to assist you in your medical education.
International Medical Graduates and Doctors Trained Abroad
International Medical Graduates (IMGs), who have received their medical degree from a school outside of Australia or New Zealand and intend to practice medicine in Australia, must go through several additional procedures to obtain registration and employment.
Overseas Trained Doctors (OTDs) are doctors who had their primary training outside of the country. As a result of manpower shortages, the Australian government encourages the immigration of doctors to a specific profession, which is an example of when an OTD may wish to apply to practice in Australia.
Accreditation, Registration, and Employment
When starting a medical career in Australia, you must examine several important issues such as registration, certification, and employment choices. At some point you may also be required to take the Gamsat test so don’t scrimp on your Gamsat preparation if that is the case.
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) are appropriate bodies which can help overseas doctors with more information about all these issues.