Sunshine Coast Health has launched a new program to support internationally trained doctors who are living in Australia transition into our hospital environment and address a predicted workforce shortage.
The STEPP-IN program is a 10-week clinical observership and education program for international medical graduates (IMGs) who are not yet working as doctors in Australia, to help prepare them for a career here.
Sunshine Coast Health Director of Clinical Training Dr Thi Aung said six doctors are taking part in the pilot program.
“In the next 5 to 10 years there is a severe workforce shortage so to address that there are these international medical graduates who are already in our country and want to try get back to the workforce, so we are helping them do that,” Dr Aung said.
“We are giving them a chance to observe and get used to the Australian healthcare system before they actually join the workforce.
“We are hoping they are job ready once we complete this program – that’s our aim.”
Sunshine Coast Health STEPP-IN Program Lead Dr Sophie Brock said the internationally trained doctors may have a resume gap, and this program provides a solution to that.
“It is an intensive education program where they are learning about the Queensland Mental Health Act, they’re learning how to assess a paediatric patient, they’re learning cultural competency, they’ve got a communication skills workshop – they’re learning Aussie slang, and also an introduction into the Australian Healthcare System,” she said.
They are on the wards across Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH), observing our clinical teams, and they are also becoming familiar with Sunshine Coast Health processes and procedures including clinical prioritisation, documentation and how to do a clinical handover.
“Many of them haven’t worked in Australia so that must be quite intimidating so it’s really getting them familiar with what happens on the ground here and in Queensland Health,” Dr Brock said.
This current program runs until July, and more than 40 people have already shown interest for the next intake.
“We are planning to do the second pilot intake in September and based on the success of the programs we will look into how we can expand that beyond 2026,” Dr Aung said.
“My dream plan is to roll that out across other health services so it will be a statewide program – that’s what I’m hoping to achieve.”
Dr Prajakta Golhar and her family moved from India two years ago, where she was an ENT Surgeon.
“I moved here because I want to give my child a better life, in terms of the choices that she can make here, the freedom that she can have here – that is my purpose,” she said.
Her long-term goal is to get a job in the same speciality here in Australia, and hopes this program is another step towards that.
“I am really excited about the simulation labs, I am really excited to see the simulation of how the ward works, and I am excited to learn about the cultural competency because that is something that is very unique to this country,” she said.
Dr Alina Baig moved from Pakistan six years ago and has recently been working as a phlebotomist in Biloela.
“We moved here for the better opportunities and a better future for our kids,” she said.
“Back home I was a Resident Medical Officer, I did my internship and then after that I spent a few years doing different specialties in paeds, ED and medicine as well.
“I spent one year being a paediatrician in Pakistan and I’d love to be a paediatrician here.”
Throughout the 10 weeks, the doctors will have the opportunity to observe different specialities and spend time with clinical teams to get to know how care is delivered in an Australian setting.