Dozens of young doctors are starting out their careers on the Sunshine Coast, the hinterland and in Gympie.
The Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service is taking on 72 medical interns for 2023, at various facilities.
After completing their orientation week to familiarise themselves with each hospital and the clinical practice and procedures, 60 of the junior doctors will be based at Sunshine Coast University Hospital, 10 at Nambour, one at Maleny, and one in Gympie.
Of the 72 new recruit, 25 completed their Medical Degree at the Sunshine Coast Health Institute (SCHI) through Griffith University, which Director of Clinical Training Dr Thi Aung says has a range of advantages.
“There are a lot of positives of getting those local medical students to be part of our internship group, and one of the greatest advantages is they know the system, they know the people and they already have some training in ieMR,” Dr Aung says.
She says the next year is extremely important, as it is where the junior doctors build good foundations to progress their career.
“They have to do emergency, medicine and surgery as mandatory, but they also have an elective term, so they are rotating, mainly in the Sunshine Coast University Hospital but also in Nambour, Maleny and Gympie as well,” she says.
SCHHS acting executive director medical services, doctor Alison Roper, says the new medical interns will contribute to strengthening our region’s future health workforce.
“The Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service is proud to welcome the junior doctors, who are embarking on a challenging yet very exciting and rewarding period of their careers,” Dr Roper said.
“It is a difficult time transitioning from student to doctor but we really support them through the process, the Medical Education Department really take them under their wing as well to make sure the progression is as smooth as possible.
“They are a key part of our workforce and patient care is obviously their focus, and all the things they do contribute to that.”
