Through the delivery of our programs, AIDA is proud to contribute to improved cultural safety in health and support, growth and retention of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical workforce. As of January 2024, there were 491 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical students enrolled at universities and 850 registered Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical practitioners. This is the latest update on AIDA’s Programs are supporting of First Nations Doctors and medical students.
Specialist Trainee Support Program (STSP)
On 17 September 2024, AIDA convened another successful quarterly meeting of the AIDA Cross-college Project Group. Representatives from the non-GP colleges participated in discussions and workshop activities to drive improved recruitment and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees. The agenda included discussion with the AMC on the review of specialist medical programs, a review of the Medical Training Survey data from 2023 and increasing Supervisors uptake of AIDA’s cultural awareness training. It was excellent to have Dr Karen Nicholls facilitate the meeting in her new role as AIDA’s Medico-cultural Lead. A key outcome from the meeting was agreement by all representatives to colleges to consult with their respective Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Committees and develop a workplan to support growth of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander non-GP specialist workforce. A Communique from the meeting will be finalised and published on the AIDA website along with past Communiques.
Indigenous Medical Student Support Program (IMSS)
AIDA’s work and partnership with the Medical Deans of Australia and New Zealand to scope and build more strategic student support is continuing. A highlight over the last month has been attending a student networking gathering and clinical skills session facilitated by Dr Glenn Harrison held at University of Melbourne’s Clinical School at Royal Melbourne Hospital on 13th September. Victorian medical students and Interns from the University of Melbourne and Monash University were in attendance, including 7 AIDA members. Another wonderful gathering supported by partners and enjoyed by our amazing members.
Cultural Safety Program
AIDA’s medico-cultural expertise continues to be sought from a range of organisations in the upskilling of their staff and members. Over the last month, AIDA has delivered cultural safety workshops for the AFL and the Australian and New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine. We also facilitated an individual bookable workshop in Perth on 21 September.
A big thank you to our brilliant facilitators over the last month, Dr Nathan Luies, Dr Glenn Harrison, Dr Olivia O’Donoghue, Dr Ngaree Blow and Dr Stephanie Trust.
There is still time to book into one of our last individual bookable workshops of the year, taking place in Gadigal / Sydney on Friday 18 October 2024: https://aida.org.au/event/new-south-wales-cultural-safety-workshop/