Factsheet, Medical 2016

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Medical Workforce

The Medical Board of Australia is responsible for regulating medical practitioners practising in Australia. Australian doctors seeking to practise medicine in Australia must be registered with the Medical Board. There is a range of different types of registration to match different levels of training and experience.

In 2016, 106,634 medical practitioners were registered in Australia. Of these, 5,564 were provisionally registered (applies to persons required to complete a period of approved supervised practice to become eligible for general registration), 98,374 held general and/or specialist registration, and a further 2,696 held non-practising registrations.

Addiction Medicine

Addiction medicine physicians provide comprehensive care to improve the health outcomes for patients with a wide range of addiction disorders, including drug and alcohol addiction, and pharmaceutical dependency. A minimum of three years full-time training is required through the Royal Australasian College of Physicians to specialise in this area.

Anaesthesia

Anaesthetists work in a range of clinical environments and apply their knowledge and skills to caring for patients in a variety of clinical contexts, providing anaesthesia and sedation for surgery and other procedures, providing pain management and periprocedural care, working in resuscitation, trauma and retrieval teams and working with specialists in intensive care medicine. A minimum of five years training through the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists is required to specialise in this area.

Anatomical Pathology

Anatomical Pathology is the branch of pathology that deals with the tissue diagnosis of disease. For this, Anatomical Pathologists need a broad-based knowledge and understanding of the pathological and clinical aspects of many diseases. To specialise in anatomical pathology requires a minimum of five years of training through the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia.

Cardiology

Cardiology is concerned with the prevention, investigation, therapy of, and research into, disease involving the cardiovascular system. A minimum of 6 years full-time training through the Royal Australasian College of Physicians is required to specialise in this area. ∗ Factsheet excludes paediatric cardiology figures

Dermatology

Dermatologists specialise in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of skin diseases and cancers. A minimum of four years full-time training through the Australasian College of Dermatologists is required to specialise in this area.

Diagnostic Radiology

Diagnostic (Clinical) radiology relates to the diagnosis or treatment of a patient through the use of medical imaging. Diagnostic imaging uses plain X-ray radiology, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound and nuclear medicine imaging techniques to obtain images that are interpreted to aid in the diagnosis of disease. It takes a minimum of five years full-time training with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists to specialise in diagnostic radiology.

Emergency medicine

Emergency medicine physicians are acute generalists with specialist skills in resuscitation and diagnosis in the acute phase of illness. With a wide range of procedural and technical skills, emergency medicine physicians provide care for patients of all ages and with a wide range of clinical needs. It takes a minimum of five years of full-time training with the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine to specialise in emergency medicine.

Endocrinology

Endocrinology is the study of the physiology and pathophysiology of hormones and hormone producing tissues. A minimum of 6 years of full-time training through the Royal Australasian College of Physicians is required to specialise in this area.

Gastroenterology & Hepatology

Gastroenterology and hepatology are branches of internal medicine concerned with the prevention, investigation, treatment of and research into illnesses involving the gastrointestinal tract and liver. It takes a minimum of 6 years of full time training through the Royal Australasian College of Physicians to specialise in Gastroenterology and hepatology. ∗ Factsheet excludes paediatric gastroenterology figures.

General Medicine

General physicians (or specialists in internal medicine) are experts in the diagnosis and management of complex, chronic and multisystem disorders. A minimum of 6 years full-time training through the Royal Australasian College of Physicians is required to specialise in this area.

General Practice

General practitioners (GPs) are often the first point of contact in matters of personal health. General practice provides person centred, continuing, comprehensive and coordinated whole person health care to individuals and families in their communities. A minimum of 3 years full-time training through the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners is required to specialise in this area.

General Surgery

General Surgery is the basic core specialty within the discipline of surgery and is the broadest of the surgical specialties. The General Surgeon is a surgical specialist engaged in the comprehensive care of surgical patients and in some situations the General Surgeon may require knowledge of the whole field of surgery. It takes five years full-time training through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons to specialise in general surgery.

Geriatric Medicine

A geriatrician has expertise in the diagnosis and management of complex and multifactorial internal medicine disorders that impact upon the cognition and functional status of older individuals. A minimum of six years full-time training is required through the Royal Australasian College of Physicians to specialise in this area.

Intensive Care Medicine

An intensive care medicine specialist is trained to be a leader of a multidisciplinary team proficient in the comprehensive clinical management of critically ill patients. Intensive care medicine specialists have clinical skills to manage severe medical, surgical, obstetric and paediatric illnesses and the skills to treat the conditions that cause them. A minimum of six years full-time training through the College of Intensive Care Medicine of Australia and New Zealand is required to specialise in this area.

Medical Administration

Medical administration is administration or management utilising the medical and clinical knowledge, skill, and judgement of a registered medical practitioner. This may include administering or managing a hospital or other health services, or developing health operational policy, planning or purchasing of health services. A minimum of three years full-time training through the Royal Australian College of Medical Administration is required to specialise in this area.

Medical Oncology

A medical oncologist is a consultant physician who specialises in the investigation, study, diagnosis, management and treatment of benign and malignant growths, tumours, cancers and diseases. A minimum of six years full-time training through the Royal Australasian College of Physicians is required to specialise in this area.

Nephrology

The discipline of nephrology is defined by the care of patients with diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract. A minimum of six years full-time training through the Royal Australasian College of Physicians is required to specialise in this area.

Neurology

The practice of neurology involves the diagnosis and management of diseases affecting the central, peripheral and autonomic nervous systems and muscles. A minimum of six years full-time training through the Royal Australasian College of Physicians is required to specialise in this area.

Factsheet excludes paediatric neurology figures

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Obstetrics and Gynaecology are specialist branches of medicine concerned with health care specific to women. Obstetricians provide medical care before, during, and after childbirth. Gynaecologists diagnose, treat, and aid in the prevention of disorders of the female reproductive system. A minimum of six years full-time advanced training through the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists is required to specialise in this area.

Occupational & Environmental Medicine

Occupational medicine takes a preventative approach to health and safety in the workplace by looking at how a work environment can affect a person’s health, and how a person’s health can affect their work.

Ophthalmology

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who has undertaken additional specialist training in the diagnosis and management of disorders of the eye and visual system. Ophthalmology training equips eye specialists to provide the full spectrum of eye care, including the prescription of glasses and contact lenses, medical treatment and complex microsurgery. A minimum of six years full-time advanced training through the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists is required to specialise in this area.

Orthopaedic Surgery

Orthopaedic surgery involves the care of the musculoskeletal system. Orthopaedic surgeons diagnose, care and treat disorders of the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves and skin. A minimum of five years full-time advanced training through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons is required to specialise in this area.

Otolaryngology

Otolaryngology head and neck surgeons investigate and treat conditions involving the ear, nose, throat, head and neck. These include nasal and sinus conditions, snoring and breathing problems, tonsillitis, cancers of the head and neck including thyroid surgery, voice problems, plastic surgery of the nose and face, hearing difficulties and deafness. A minimum of five years full-time advanced training through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons is required to specialise in this area.

Paediatrics & Child Health

Paediatricians specialise in the treatment of neonates, infants, children and adolescents. A minimum of six years full-time advanced training through the Royal Australasian College of Physicians is required to specialise in this area.

Pain Medicine

Pain medicine specialists serve both as a consultant to other physicians and often as the principal treating physician. The spectrum of care provided includes prescribing medication, co-ordinating rehabilitative services, performing pain relieving procedures, counselling patients and families, and directing a multidisciplinary team.

Palliative Medicine

Palliative medicine is the study and management of patients with active, progressive and far-advanced disease, for whom the prognosis is limited and the focus of care is on their quality of life. Up to six years full-time advanced training through the Royal Australasian College of Physicians Australasian Chapter of Palliative Medicine is required to specialise in this area.

Pathology

Pathology is the medical specialty concerned with the study of the cause of disease and the ways in which diseases affect our bodies by examining changes in the tissues and in blood and other body fluids. A minimum of five years full-time advanced training through the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia is required to practice in any of these specialities:

Chemical pathology deals with the diagnosis and management of disease by use of chemicals present in the body fluids and tissues
Clinical pathology deals with the diagnosis and management of disease by the use of a wide range of diagnostic laboratory medicine techniques, including examination of the patient
Forensic pathology focuses on medicolegal investigations of sudden or unexpected death
General pathology deals with the diagnosis and management of disease by use of every component of laboratory medicine and every diagnostic technique, including examination of the patient
Genetic pathology (Biochemical genetics and Medical genomics) contributes to the multidisciplinary range of skills required within pathology services to aid in the diagnosis, management and treatment of patients with disorders arising from genomic mutations
Haematology encompasses both clinical and laboratory aspects of primary disorders of the blood as well as how other diseases affect the blood
Immunopathology encompasses the provision of expert diagnostic support for patients with immune disorders
Microbiology involves the use of laboratory techniques to diagnose infectious diseases, recommend antibiotic therapy and to advise, correlate, coordinate and educate clinicians regarding aspects of the pathogenesis, epidemiology, prevention and management of infection

Physicians

Data in this factsheet covers the following physician adult medicine subspecialties: clinical genetics, clinical pharmacology, haematology, immunology and allergy, infectious diseases, nuclear medicine, respiratory and sleep medicine, and rheumatology. A minimum of six years full-time advanced training through the Royal Australasian College of Physicians is required to practice in any of these specialities:

Clinical genetics encompasses the identification of genetic mutations in patients that lead to disease processes
Clinical pharmacology is the scientific discipline that involves all aspects of the relationship between drugs and humans
Clinical haematology is an integrated discipline incorporating clinical and laboratory aspects of diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs
Clinical immunology and allergy physicians care for patients with a diverse range of disorders of the immune system, encompassing allergic disorders, immune deficiency disorders and autoimmune diseases
Infectious diseases provide a predominantly hospital-based service, specialising in the various clinical, laboratory and public health aspects of infectious disease medicine and microbiology
Nuclear medicine uses radiopharmaceuticals (radioisotopes) in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of medical conditions
Respiratory and sleep medicine is a specialty of internal medicine encompassing diseases of the respiratory system including the upper airway, the lungs, the chest wall, the pulmonary circulation and the ventilatory control system
Rheumatology encompasses the diagnosis and holistic management of people with diseases that affect joints, muscles and bones

Plastic Surgery

Plastic and Reconstructive surgery is a wide ranging specialty involving manipulation, repair and reconstruction of the skin, soft tissue and bone. Plastic surgery is a specialty not restricted to one organ or tissue type. The main emphasis is on maintaining or restoring form and function, often working in a team approach with other specialties. A minimum of five years full-time advanced training through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons is required to specialise in this area.

Psychiatry

Psychiatrists specialise in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental illness and emotional problems. They are trained to recognise and treat the effects of emotional disturbances on the body, as well as the effects of physical conditions on the mind. A minimum of five years full-time advanced training through the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists is required to specialise in this area.

Public Health Medicine

Public Health Medicine is a medical specialty primarily concerned with the health and care of populations. Physicians interested in Public Health Medicine are trained in both clinical medicine and public health. Specialists in this area support public health research and development and advocate for the highest standard of population health. A minimum of four years full-time advanced training through the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine, is required to specialise in this area.

Radiation Oncology

Radiation oncology is a specialty dealing with rapidly changing technological advances directed largely at improving the accuracy and effectiveness of radiotherapy outcomes, including better control and cure of tumours, as well as reduction of side effects. Increasing use of high quality imaging to direct radiotherapy, and newer types of radiation (such as protons) and evolving delivery techniques, such as intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), are quickly becoming standard treatment methods.

A minimum of five years full-time advanced training through the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists is required to specialise in this area.

Rehabilitation Medicine

Rehabilitation medicine involves the diagnosis, assessment and management of a disability due to illness or injury. Rehabilitation physicians work with people with a disability to help them achieve and maintain an optimal quality of life. A minimum of four years full-time advanced training through the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, is required to specialise in this area.

Sexual Health Medicine

Sexual health medicine is the specialised area of medical practice concerned with healthy sexual relations, including freedom from sexually transmissible infections (STIs), unplanned pregnancy, coercion, and physical or psychological discomfort associated with sexuality. A minimum of three years full-time advanced training through the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Australasian Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine is required to specialise in this area.

Sport and Exercise Medicine

Sport and Exercise Physicians are specialists in the comprehensive management of musculoskeletal problems and medical illness in the active population as well as exercise prescription in the management and prevention of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and osteoarthritis. All Sport and Exercise Physicians have experience looking after elite athletes in team environments and apply these multi-disciplinary principles to the management of all patients, whether they are recreational athletes, manual workers or those with or without chronic diseases simply wanting to safely manage their activity levels. A minimum of four years full-time advanced training through the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians is required to specialise in this area.

Surgeons

Data in this factsheet covers the following surgery subspecialties: cardio-thoracic surgery, neurosurgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, paediatric surgery, urology and vascular surgery. Depending on the specialty, up to seven years full-time advanced training through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons or the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons is required to practice:

Cardio-thoracic surgery encompasses the lung, heart, and/or the great vessels
Neurosurgery encompasses disorders of the brain, meninges, skull and their blood supply
Oral maxillofacial surgeons specialise in the oral and maxillofacial regions of the neck and head
Paediatric surgery encompasses conditions in children usually up to the age of 16 that may require surgery, such as non-cardiac thoracic surgery, general paediatric surgery and paediatric urology
Urology is the treatment of problems involving the kidney, bladder, prostate and male reproductive organs
Vascular surgery encompasses diseases of the vascular system