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Contemplating a career in medicine? Important Information for Year 11 & 12 Students
A medical career is a life vocation that provides personal and professional rewards far beyond any level of income. All branches of medicine are people-oriented with a strong sense of helping one’s fellow humans in times of need and distress.
The medical practitioner deals with the prevention, diagnosis, relief and cure of physical and mental illness. After a period of post-graduate training a doctor may work in private practice as a general practitioner or as a specialist in a wide range of fields.
Doctors can enter hospital employment as full-time salaried staff specialists or career medical officers. There are also clinical and non-clinical positions available in universities, research institutions, commercial and industrial organisations, government departments and the defence forces.
Information about training
Who should go into Medicine?
There is scope in medicine for every variety of personality, including the outgoing or the retiring, the mechanically minded and those who are less dextrous. There are opportunities for those who wish to work in isolation or with a community.
A robust and healthy constitution, together with a well-integrated personality are desirable. A good manner, communication skills, tact, and the ability to inspire confidence are also important. Physical and mental endurance are necessary as well as a positive attitude to caring for people as individuals, even at some personal inconvenience.
Not all medical incomes are high. Don’t think of going into medicine to earn a lot of money or because your relatives or friends think it might be a good idea. Think carefully. There are many less demanding professions and occupations. The 35-hour week simply does not exist in the health care field – if a job needs doing, it has to be done at the time and not put on "hold".
Medical Schools in New South Wales
Entry into medical faculties is very competitive. The requirements for entry into each of the six medical schools in New South Wales are very different.
Their approaches to medical studies are also different, so prospective students are advised to become acquainted with both admission requirements and course content.
Contacts
University of Sydney
Faculty of Medicine
Student Services Unit
Edward Ford Building, A27
University of Sydney NSW 2006
Tel: (02) 9351 3132 Fax: (02) 9351 3196
Email: admissions@med.usyd.edu.au
Website: www.med.usyd.edu.au
University of NSW
Faculty of Medicine
The University of New South Wales
Sydney NSW 2052
Tel: (02) 9385 2452
Email: d.boothey@unsw.edu.au
Website: www.med.unsw.edu.au
University of Newcastle
Program Officer (BMed)
Faculty of Health
University of Newcastle
Callaghan NSW 2308
Tel: (02) 4921 5680 / (02) 4921 5676
Email: bmed-admissions@newcastle.edu.au
Website: www.newcastle.edu.au/faculty/health
University of Wollongong
Faculty of Health & Behavioural Sciebces
University of Wollongong
Wollongong NSW 2522 Australia
Tel: (02) 4221 4111
Email: uniadvice@uow.edu.au
Website: www.uow.edu.au/gsm
University of Western Sydney
Locked Bag 1797
Penrith South DC
NSW 1797
Tel: (02) 9852 5222 /Fax: (02) 9852 5960
Email: study@uws.edu.au
Website: www.uws.edu.au/about/acadorg/schools/medicine
The University of Notre Dame
Sydney School of Medicine
The University of Notre Dame
PO Box 944
Broadway 2007
Tel: (02) 8204 4250/Fax: (02) 8204 4422
Email Sydney: sydney@nd.edu.au
Website: www.nd.edu.au/sydney/schools/medicine
Types of Medical School Places
All of the NSW medical schools offer different types of places to medical students. These include:
• HECS Funded – which are supported by the Commonwealth Government and offered only to Australian residents.
• Full-fee paying – this requires the student to pay the full course fees set by the university. These fees will very depending on the course and university.
• Bonded Place/Scholarships – there are many different bonded/scholarship schemes offered. Most of the contracts require a return of service in rural or outer metropolitan areas that may be some time after the student’s graduation. All of these types of contracts require close scrutiny by prospective students and serious consideration as to the implications on the personal life. Further information can be obtained from AMA or AMSA.
Increases in Medical Student Numbers
All of Australia is experiencing a rapid increase in medical student numbers in response to Government concerns about our ageing population and doctor numbers. In NSW, we have doubled the amount of medical schools and by 2011 expect medical student graduate numbers to for outweigh supervised intern positions available. This will also have implications for specialist training programs with all likelihood that junior doctors may spend several years attempting to enter a program. This is high on the agenda for AMA and concerted efforts will continue to be made to ensure your future as a doctor.
In Medicine it's Vital to Have a Voice
It's vital that all facets of the medical profession, including students, have a voice.
Students in NSW need to be more united and we need to decide more clearly what we want because the decisions that the Government make are going to directly affect the way we practise medicine.
The best way to address the issues is by presenting a clear voice to the Government through the AMA.
Medical students have their own representative on the AMA (NSW) Council.
Ms Susanna Lam is the AMA (NSW) representative.
Why Should Students Join the AMA?
Membership to the AMA (NSW) is free to all medical students.
The AMA (NSW) provides a united voice for doctors and medical students in this State. The AMA is the only association that represents all doctors, regardless of their specialty.
Student members receive the AMA (NSW)’s flagship publication The NSW Doctor three times a year as part of their membership.
AMA (NSW) also runs free lunches for students at universities throughout the year. For further information on when AMA (NSW) is coming to your university, contact your student medical society or email enquiries@nswama.com.au.
Medical students can join AMA (NSW) by clicking here. Membership is free.
Important Links
To access the University of Sydney web site, click here
To access the University of NSW web site, click here
To access the University of Newcastle web site, click here
To access the University of Wollongong web site, click here .
To access the University of Western Sydney web site, click here
To access the University of Notre Dame web site, click here
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