National workshop means healthy future for Indigenous medical education

Friday 7 October 2005

Increasing the numbers of Indigenous health professionals will be the focus of a national workshop to be hosted by the University of Newcastle, a leading provider of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical education and training.

The workshop, Insights and Innovations: Selecting and Recruiting Indigenous medical, nursing and allied health students, will coincide with the University of Newcastle's celebrations for 20 years of innovation in the field of Indigenous medical education.

Gail Garvey, Assistant Dean of Indigenous Education at the University of Newcastle, says "Australian Aboriginal people are subjected to many inequities in terms of health, employment, education and standards of living."

"Increasing the numbers of Aboriginal health professionals, such as doctors, is particularly important because they can have a tremendous impact on health service delivery for Aboriginal communities, improving the health status of Aboriginal peoples," says Gail.

"The University of Newcastle is a leading provider of Indigenous medical training having offered an entry program for 20 years. Approximately 50% of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors have graduated from our Indigenous medical program."

"Forty-three of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors have graduated from the University of Newcastle, and we currently have another 26 students studying in the medical program."

The University's commitment to the training of more Indigenous doctors will be strengthened by the national workshop which will bring together representatives from national and state health, education and Indigenous bodies to discuss the challenges of recruiting and selecting Indigenous students into health programs.

Indigenous medical education will receive a boost with the signing of an agreement for collaboration between the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA) and the Committee of Deans of Australian Medical Schools (CDAMS).

"This is an important collaboration between two peak bodies in medical education and training," says Gail. "It will mean specific programs for the recruitment, support and retention of Indigenous medical students aiming to further advance the overall healthcare needs and outcomes for all Indigenous people."

The workshop will be supported by a number of events recognising Indigenous medical education.

Saturday 8 October 2005

5 - 7pm

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, graduates, past and present staff, family and friends and guests will meet to celebrate 20 years of Indigenous medical education at the University of Newcastle.

Sunday 9 October 2005

4pm - 5pm

Signing of the Agreement for Collaboration between AIDA and CDAMS, followed by facilitated discussion on Indigenous student recruitment and admissions into health programs.

5.15pm - 6pm

Official Launch of the University of Newcastle, 20 Years of Innovation History Project by the NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, The Hon. Milton Orkopolous. The history project documents the 20 years of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical entry program and will include a presentation of interviews, photos and reflections of the program since its implementation in 1985. The launch will also be attended by Chair of the National Health and Medical Research Council Research Committee, Professor Judith Black.

Monday 10 October 2005

9am - 5pm

Insights and Innovations: Selecting and Recruiting Indigenous medical, nursing and allied health students workshop. Day 1: Are we getting it right with recruitment?

Tuesday 11 October 2005

9am - 1pm

Insights and Innovations: Selecting and Recruiting Indigenous medical, nursing and allied health students workshop. Day 2: Are we getting it right with admission procedures?

The workshop is supported by the Department of Health and Ageing, Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and the CDAMS - Indigenous Health Curriculum Project.

For a full program, speaker information or media enquiries contact Gail Garvey, Assistant Dean of Indigenous Education, on (02) 4921 5632.