Medical Internship Crisis?

[jmosh002]

I know that this is a major problem and probably will be over the next few years, but read in the paper about some guy who surveyed patients in private hospitals whether they would mind interns treating them,etc. Do you think this will every happen? Internships at Private Hospitals?

[paulsterio]

It's a problem for international students but it's a non-issue for local students really - we still get guaranteed internship places.

Well, private hospitals are under their own control - so it's their own discretion whether they wan't internsns - but if i had to give an answer - no

[shinny]

It's a problem for international students but it's a non-issue for local students really - we still get guaranteed internship places.

It's a quickly compounding problem though. Think about it; if we're 500 places short this year, those 500 will have to wait until next year and compete with the following cohort. Then you've got 1000 medical graduates sitting on their asses doing nothing that year after. Then the cycle just keeps going. It's not a consistent number that we'll be short - it's going to increase in a linear fashion unless something gets done about it. By the time these year 12s get out, it could very well be an issue.

[Russ]

The guaranteed place for local students thing expires in 2014 iirc, which is only 3 years away and your degree is 5. I think it's an issue to be concerned about. It's certainly an issue I'm concerned about, for multiple reasons.

[jmosh002]

I am concerned about the fact that if i study interstate (on the basis that i don't get into monash first), i won't be able to come back to vic. I am willing to do this as i very passionately want to study med, although now that this is a worry i am thinking that i should risk it by doing sci or biomed at melbourne, because then atleast i will have a chance of getting an internship at melb.
What do you think>

[pi]

Getting into UoM is very tough as well, I'd always take the interstate option of undergrad med. An internship is only one year.

[Stick]

Getting into UoM is very tough as well, I'd always take the interstate option of undergrad med. An internship is only one year.

That's if your parents will allow you to move. I've had that argument but I'm staying put, unfortunately, which means things are going to be slightly tougher for me. ^^

[shinny]

I am concerned about the fact that if i study interstate (on the basis that i don't get into monash first), i won't be able to come back to vic. I am willing to do this as i very passionately want to study med, although now that this is a worry i am thinking that i should risk it by doing sci or biomed at melbourne, because then atleast i will have a chance of getting an internship at melb.
What do you think>

Coming back to Victoria for internship is quite unlikely. The law just changed such that even international students are ranked above local students who completed their Medical degree interstate. Thing is, internship's just one year. You can just come back after that.

[pi]

That's pretty harsh Stick, not sure why they'd do that tbh. Don't most parents go by the "follow your dreams" notion (especially if it's a dream they approve of)?

[Stick]

Well I'm lucky in the fact that my parents haven't pushed me into any career path - they have approved all of my career ideas - as long as I can live comfortably and support a family in the future. That being said, they would probably be annoyed if I said I wanted to become something like a scuba diving instructor, but I guess that would be because that would be putting my talents to waste. But yeah, I have to study in Melbourne. My parents think I can't really look after myself in order to move interstate (which, I admit, is true - but I would be willing to make more of an effort to prove otherwise). ^^

[jmosh002]

Also, after 2014 when there will be no more guaranteed internships for local applicants, will internships be based off uni marks or randomly?

[pi]

Also, after 2014 when there will be no more guaranteed internships for local applicants, will internships be based off uni marks or randomly?

I don't think it's been decided, but it's a scary thought

[jmosh002]

This thread is making me very worried. 

[Russ]

It absolutely hasn't been decided that there'll be no guarantee, the government may get their shit together and (try to) fix the problem. I'm rather skeptical of that but oh well. Assuming that there was no guarantee, nothing would change with respect to allocation of places. In Victoria it would be based on your CV and interview and whatever other rankings specific hospitals use. In the states that use a ballot, it would be random.

[shinny]

My parents think I can't really look after myself in order to move interstate (which, I admit, is true - but I would be willing to make more of an effort to prove otherwise). ^^

That's kind of ridiculous. The only way for you to learn how to live on your own is to actually move out - it's not like you'll be any more prepared by sitting at home for another 5 years. I've got plenty of friends who've come from or gone to interstate who were hesitant initially but are now fine with it. It's not like you'll let yourself just starve to death or live in an utter cesspool.