Government plans fast track for medical training

Pete Hodgson

Health Minister Pete Hodgson has sent a strong signal that doctors' training will be fast-tracked.

The announcement follows the release of two reports outlining the need for changes to the traditional system and advocating a shift away from time-based training.

The reports also find that the length of training for primary or secondary specialists is longer than it needs to be.

Doctors have welcomed the move - but caution that it needs to be done without compromising patient safety.

Mr Hodgson told a GPs conference in Rotorua on Friday that a new committee is being formed to streamline medical education and clinical training, and to appraise the system.

Indications are that some changes will happen before next year's university intake.

He also signalled additional work in two areas: a clinical training pilot for overseas-trained doctors, and developing the role of medical officers.

Dr Jeff Brown, president of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, welcomed the changes.

"There are areas of medicine where a lot of training is lost in chasing paper, and a lot of training is lost in risk management - keeping people who are seen to be 'in training' away from patients for the protection of the patients, but you can't learn unless you do."

Training needs also differed and as such, not all doctors needed the same training, he said.

"There should be options that are co-ordinated so that people can get to what they want to be or may be needed, faster, but also safely," Dr Brown said.

"Because I don't believe you and I want to go along and see a general practitioner who's had two years' training in a few areas of general practice," he said.

Time-based training, where doctors in training fulfilled a set amount of clinical hours, no longer guaranteed competency.

"There's not the belief that you work 120 hours a week so that you can see everything and learn while you're tired - too tired to even think straight. Those days are gone," he said.

"I suppose the hard thing is whether the words and the promises can turn into action and outcomes that you and I can see. That's the big challenge."

Medical Association chairman Dr Ross Boswell was also supportive.

"There's probably three important components. There's knowledge, there's skill and there's experience. I think it's sensible to re-examine the balance between those and ensure that we get it right.

"We want the best doctors trained most effectively in the shortest time for the least amount of money."

However, he foresaw difficulties in co-ordinating training between the hospitals, medical schools and other providers.

National's health spokesman, Tony Ryall, said the reports were "paralysis by analysis".

"It's time Labour stopped wasting money on endless reports and actually started fixing the problem.

"Without urgent action, patients will end up on a new waiting list - to see a GP.

"New Zealanders would be horrified to know that in Britain it is Tony Blair's dream for patients to see a GP within 48 hours.

"We don't want that in New Zealand."