Advanced trainees in General and Acute Care Medicine specialise in diagnosing and managing complex, chronic, and multi-system disorders. The curriculum is engineered to support you in self-directed learning and reflective practice, with several different learning activities to suit a spectrum of learning and assessment preferences. All training is undertaken under supervision whilst the trainee prepares for individual practice. The program builds capabilities through practical work-based learning and assessment tools. 

A General Acute Care Medicine Specialist is commonly referred to as a Specialist Physician. Specialist Physicians are specially trained to diagnose internal human disorders and diseases. They are also responsible for the safe and effective administration of treatment. Acute medicine is often confused with the broader field of emergency medicine. Although both professions deal with the breadth of general physician issues in acute hospital and ambulatory care settings, the difference is that critical medicine does not involve managing emergency department cases. Instead, general acute care focuses on internal medicine diagnoses to optimise health outcomes for their patients.

General and Acute Care Medicine training involves coordinating and safely distributing patient care across acute hospital and ambulatory settings. There are several personal attributes aside from the specialist medical knowledge that are crucial in being a successful Specialist Physician:

Good leadership and communication

Great Specialist Physicians are outstanding leaders who can direct and coordinate other specialists, allied health professionals and primary caregivers. Exceptional leadership and direction, combined with excellent written and verbal communication, will enable the practitioner to succeed. 

Decision making & problem-solving 

With several competing issues for their attention, Specialist Physicians must be able to problem-solve and administer care for their patients efficiently. Dealing with Specialist Physician issues in acute hospital and ambulatory care settings is a high-pressure role. Specialist Physicians need to make quick decisions and prioritise their patient care effectively.

Although you can break up your training, it is not advised. Pausing the training for one year or longer will mean re-sitting some assessments. Meanwhile, taking a break for longer than two years may mean some examinations and course materials will need to be re-completed or re- examined. Therefore, most trainees complete the General and Acute Cared Medicine training in one block. 

Approximately 39 new applicants were accepted to study General Acute Care Medicine in Queensland in 2021 out of 75 eligible applications received, however this will vary each year. As of 2019, 263 specialists practice in Queensland, and 974 specialists operate Australia-wide. In Queensland in 2019, there were 148 trainees.

There are countless reasons why North Queensland is one of the best places on the planet to work, live, and study. No matter what stage or age you are in, Northern Queensland offers a great balance between work and leisure.

Visitors and residents find the North Queensland lifestyle relaxed and laid-back. The people are friendly and welcoming. There are plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities such as swimming, surfing, fishing, and hiking, and when the sun goes down, there are also many bars, restaurants, and cafes to enjoy.

North Queensland has the convenience of cities close by, all of which have reasonable housing costs and expansive landscapes to explore nearby. The region combines quality education and the chance to pursue a relaxed or adventurous lifestyle, depending on your preference. The area has a warm climate all year round, beautiful beaches and rainforests, and is home to a diverse range of cultures and lifestyles, making Northern Queensland hard to beat.

Each regional centre in North Queensland is small enough to escape the crowded nature of big city living, but they still have enough going on for you to socialise and entertain yourself. And with short commute times putting more hours back into your workday, you’ll have plenty of time to explore when offered the chance. 

Networking and industry social opportunities frequently happen due to the tight-knit and collaborative nature of the health and hospital communities here. The vision to improve the health of the communities throughout the region, unites the students, interns, junior doctors, and specialists training and working here. Together we hope to address the shortage of doctors in North Queensland.

Our training region ensures trainees have access to a wide range of hospital and health settings of varying sizes and capabilities offering a diverse case load and case mix. These training areas include the following health service areas: Cairns, Central West, Mackay, North West, Torres and Cape, and Townsville.

References

• https://www.imsanz.org.au/training/becoming-a-general-physician
• https://medinav.health.qld.gov.au/careers/medicine/general-medicine/
• https://www.racp.edu.au/trainees/advanced-training/advanced-training-programs/general-and-acute-care-medicine