TOO MANY DOCTORS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 1 November 1924, Page 12

TOO MANY DOCTORS.

A WAR EFFECT. PROBLEM IN AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY, Oct. 9. Both Melbourne and Sydney have had to face the problem during the past year or two of too great an output of doctors from their Universities. In Melbourne just now the problem is emphasised by the fact that 64 young men have just graduated in medicine, and there are only five hospital positions open for young doctors to go to for the completion of their training. The practice, of young doctors completing their training in England is nothing like so general here as it is in New Zealand; in fact, it is very exceptional here, but some who ar© able to afford it have foiind .it the best way of solving the problem. , A prominent member of the British Medical Association, in discussing the matter, said that the surplus of new graduates was an aftermath of the abnormal increase of the first-year students during the war years. H© declared. that the recent graduation included the last of the war influx, and that in a few years the position would automatically right itself. Recruits to the profession would then, as before the war, just about keep pac© with the growth of the community and the loss of practitioners due to death or retirement. This year, however, the position is practically hard for young graduates. Sixty-foiir left Melbourne University fully qualified educationally, but seeking hospital experience before they would be fitted for private practice. And only five hospital vacancies will be available within the next six months.

As to. the necessity of hospital experience. this authority pointed out that a doctor with only class-room training would he quite eligible to start in practice for himself, but for the first year or two he would necessarily be “practising” on his patients in the wrong sense; whereas,' if he could obtain a year’s experience as a junior resident in a public hospital he would gain practical experience under the supervision of skilled surgeons and physicians.

One of the greatest advantages of a public hospital being in close touch with a university would be that students could obtain nearly all their education in the wards of. the hospital, and thus graduate with the practical knowledge which has now to be obtain ed after graduation. Explaining the great influx of students in 1916-17-18, the authority stated that the first two years of the war greatly depleted the ranks of local practitioners, who were commissioned in the -Army Medical Corps in great numbers, and many were killed in action. By, 1916 the scarcity of doc-, tors was such that many students were allowed to graduate before the completion of their full course. The shortage attracted increased numbers of students, and in 1917 nearly 600 entered their first year, whereas 50 to 80 was the normal number. Three years ago the first of the war influx of students graduated, and many were unable to find an opening. The older hands predicted disaster for the surplus, but owing to the increase of population having got ahead of the increase of doctors during the war, the position was not so bad as it at’first appeared, and most, of the 1921 oraduate* were now completely established. Regarding the prospects of thir venr’s graduates; the authority said be believed they would eventually he absorbed. although some would have to wait a. year or so. Many would go to other States for hospital experience, although avenues there had become restricted during the last few years. A W who could afford it would snend the time of waiting in travelling abroad for post-graduate courses.