AMA Council of Doctors in Training - AMA CDT

04/12/2025

📥 In the latest edition of AMA Insider, Dr Sanjay Hettige shares insights from the recent Medical Workforce Advisory Collaboration meeting.

As Chair of the federal AMA Council of Doctors in Training, Dr Hettige highlights the urgent need for sustainable reform across the training pipeline and calls for an Independent Health Workforce Planning and Analysis Agency to coordinate and plan for the future of our medical workforce.

The federal AMA is committed to ensuring the voices of doctors in training are heard by the federal government.

Read the full newsletter to learn more about federal AMA advocacy for doctors in training, and what to expect in 2026. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/advocating-stronger-workforce-policies-vgs5c

28/11/2025

🎓 Sharing practitioner experiences: Doctors in training

Doctors in training are the future of rural healthcare. Insights from the federal AMA’s 2025 Rural Health Issues Survey reveal the barriers they face — and the opportunities to build pathways that inspire and retain the next generation of rural doctors.

26/11/2025

AMA26 tickets are here — and at their best pricing of the year.
Don’t miss out on our launch offer tickets which include:
✔️ 2-day pass
✔️ Welcome Reception
Find out more and secure your spot: https://ama.eventsair.com/ama26-national-conference?utm_source=CDTFacebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=AMA26&utm_content=Buy%20Tickets&utm_term=AMA26

19/11/2025

Join us at AMA26 to hear Jelena's remarkable story.

Register now: https://ama.eventsair.com/ama26-national-conference

We're honoured to announce former world No. 4 tennis champion Jelena Dokic as a keynote speaker at AMA26.

From defeating world No. 1 Martina Hingis at Wimbledon at just 16, to becoming a powerful voice for mental health and resilience, Jelena's journey embodies extraordinary courage.

A two-time refugee who survived 15 years of abuse, Jelena transformed unimaginable hardship into hope for thousands. Through her bestselling books 'Unbreakable' and 'Fearless', and her Logie Award-winning documentary, she's become a beacon for those facing their darkest moments.

Her story is one of incredible resilience and courage — a reminder that even in the darkest moments, we have the strength to rise.

Today, as a respected Nine Network commentator and passionate advocate, Jelena champions the mental health conversations our healthcare community needs to have.

Join us at AMA26 to hear her remarkable story.

Register now: https://ama.eventsair.com/ama26-national-conference

16/11/2025

AMA26 tickets are now on sale!

To celebrate, we're offering exclusive Launch Offer pricing for members who register before 31 January 2026.

✨ Members: Save up to 40% on two-day passes — just $799
✨ Doctors in Training: Special rate of $399

Don't miss out on our best pricing of the year!

Find out more and secure your spot: https://ama.eventsair.com/ama26-national-conference

20/10/2025

This weekend, I had the privilege of chairing the Australian Medical Association Council of Doctors in Training’s final in-person meeting for 2025 in Canberra. 🇦🇺

It was inspiring to bring together passionate representatives from across the country, all deeply committed to improving the training experience and wellbeing of Australia’s future medical workforce.

Over two days, we tackled some of the most important issues facing doctors in training today:

👉 College fee transparency
👉 Workforce reform
👉 Next steps in reducing bullying and harassment rates
👉 Supporting the Medical Training Survey
👉 Strengthening supports for doctors making public comments

We also:
⭐ Engaged with key external stakeholders including CPMC and AHPRA
⭐ Began shaping our advocacy priorities for 2026

The conversations were honest, solutions-focused, and deeply motivating, a reminder that the strength of our profession lies in collaboration and shared purpose.

A huge thank you to all the state and territory representatives, AMA President Danielle McMullen, Vice President Julian Rait, AMSA President Melody Ahfock, and the AMA Federal Office team for their time, energy, and ideas. Together, we’re building a fairer, safer, and more sustainable future for doctors in training — and for the patients we serve. 💪

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20/10/2025

The Australian Medical Association mourns the passing of Emeritus Professor John Murtagh AO, who died peacefully at age 89, surrounded by family. Professor Murtagh's extraordinary contribution to medicine and general practice has left an indelible mark on healthcare in Australia and across the globe.

His seminal work, John Murtagh's General Practice, has become the pre-eminent reference textbook for general practitioners, medical students, and registrars worldwide. This groundbreaking textbook has educated generations of doctors across more than 20 countries, fundamentally shaping modern general practice.

In 2018, the AMA recognised Professor Murtagh with our highest honour, the AMA Gold Medal. As then-President Dr Michael Gannon noted, "Professor Murtagh's contribution to medicine and general practice as both a doctor and an educator in Australia is incomparable".

Throughout his career, Professor Murtagh revolutionised medical education through his innovative teaching methods, empowered patients by making medical knowledge accessible, and inspired countless doctors with his compassionate, patient-centred approach to care.

As we farewell this giant of Australian medicine, we celebrate a life devoted to healing, teaching, and advancing healthcare not just in Australia, but across the world.

17/10/2025

Our Council of Doctors in Training Chair, Sanjay Hettige, invites AMA doctors-in-training to apply for the role of AMA 2026 National Conference Convenor.

If you're passionate about leadership, networking, and shaping the future of our profession, we want to hear from you. This is an incredible opportunity to lead an amazing event in Australian healthcare.

To apply, send a 200-word expression of interest outlining why you're suited to the position to events@ama.com.au.
Applications close 26 October.
Read the full position descriptionhttps://www.ama.com.au/sites/default/files/2025-09/Convenor%20Position%20Description%20AMA26.pdf

12/09/2025

Immediate support for doctors working in our public hospitals is needed to ensure Australia can continue delivering world-leading patient care. 🩺

The AMA has today issued an urgent call for all governments to fund and implement the Hospital Registrar and Career Medical Officer Framework.

AMA Council of Doctors in Training Chair Dr Sanjay Hettige said the AMA welcomed the federal government’s investment in additional Commonwealth-supported places for medical schools, but there must be more downstream support to unlock the true potential of this investment.

Read more 👇

Immediate support for doctors working in our public hospitals is needed to ensure Australia can continue delivering world-leading patient care.

12/08/2025

CDT strongly supports extending prac payments to medical students! 💪

It's simply unfair that our medical students complete 2000 hours of unpaid placements whilst nursing and midwifery students receive prac payments for their mandatory work.

This inequity hits particularly hard for students doing rural and regional placements, where they face significant financial burdens far from home.

The evidence is clear: medical students who train in rural areas are more likely to stay and work in these underserved communities. Supporting students financially during these placements isn't just fair — it's essential for building our future rural medical workforce.

The Australian Medical Association has written to independent MP Dr Monique Ryan welcoming her draft amendment to HELP debt legislation to extend prac payments medical students, a proposal the AMA has previously raised with the federal government.