A WAR EFFECT.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 October 1924, Page 4

A WAR EFFECT.

PROIfLEM IN AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY, Oct. -■ Roth Melbourne and Syilvney 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 hy the fact that (it young men have just graduated in medicine, and there are only live 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 geeral here as it is in New Zealand; in fact, it is very exceptional here, but some who are able to alford it have found if the best way of solving the problem.

A prominent member of the Rritish Medical Association, in discussing the matter, said that the surplus of now graduates was an aftermath of the abnormal increase of first-year students during the war years, lie declared that tin' recent graduation included the last of the war inlltix, 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 pace with the grow th of the community and the loss of practitioners due to death and retirement. This year, however, the position is particularly hard for young graduates. Sixty-four left Melbourne University fully qualified educationally. Inti seeking hospital experience before they would he lit ted for private practice. And only live hospital vacancies will he available within the next six months. As to the necessity of hospital experience, this authority pointed out that a doctor with indy class-room training would lie quite eligible to start in practice fur himself. Imt for the first year or two lie would necessarily he “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, lie 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 lie I hat students could obtain nearly all their education in the wards of the hospital, and thus graduate with the practical knowledge which now has to be obtained after graduation. Explaining the great influx of students in l!)l(i-l7-18, the authority slated Ihnl the first two years of the war greatly depleted the ranks of local practitioners, who were commissioned in the Armv Medical Corps in great numbers, and many were killed in action. Ify 1!) 11» the seareitv ol doctors was such that many students were allowed to graduate before the completion of their full course. The shortage all raided increased numbers of stinh'iits and in IMI 7 nearly fiOH entered their lirst year, whereas .‘.(I to SO was t he normal numlier. Three vears ago the lirst of (lie war influx of students graduated, and many were unable In lind an opening. The older hands predicted disaster for the .surplus, but owing to the increase of population having got ahead of the inei'ea e of doctors during the war. Hie po item v.a. imt so bail as it at lirst appeared, and most of the 1921 graduates were now coin fort a l»l \ established

Regarding the prospects ol this year's irrailiiales. the authorilv said lie believed thev would eventunllv lie nbsurheil. although smile would have to wait a vear or so. Many would go go to other Stales for hospital experience. although avenues there had become reslriited during the last few years. A few, who could alford it. would spend the time of waiting in travelling abroad lor past-grad mile courses.