Career medical officers in psychiatry and addiction in NSW: description, role and educational needs

OBJECTIVE

To describe the workforce of career medical officers (CMOs) working in psychiatry and addiction medicine across New South Wales (NSW) and to explore their training and education needs, and experience of their role.

METHOD

A cross-sectional survey of CMOs in NSW working in psychiatry or addiction medicine. The survey consisted of quantitative data and free-text responses, and was conducted online in late 2017.

RESULTS

Of the 41 CMOs identified and sent the survey link, 25 CMOs completed the survey (61% RR). Almost half had worked as a CMO for 11 years or longer. Only six respondents held a recognised senior CMO position. Common areas of expertise were clozapine, metabolic health, and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). One-quarter of respondents did not receive supervision. Suggested education and training improvements included an annual 1-day training symposium and monthly peer review group for CMOs.

CONCLUSION

CMOs are an often senior group of clinicians working in important areas of service provision. Ongoing educational support for this group of medical practitioners is prudent to ensure the delivery of best practice mental health and drug health care.

Determining the professional attributes of a hospitalist: experience in one Australian metropolitan hospital

Data were prospectively recorded on 1294 consecutive patients admitted to a General Medical Unit at the Gold Coast Hospital to review the caseload and pre-requisite professional skills of a general physician working as a full-time hospitalist. Based on this review, the general physician hospitalist must possess expertise in the management of common medical conditions and comorbidities, uncommon medical conditions, elderly patients, the seriously ill, the terminally ill, psychiatric patients, surgical patients and patients with dermatologic, ophthalmic and gynaecological problems. The hospitalist must also be proficient in medical education and organization governance. The demonstration of such skills ensures the 'hospitalist' model is efficient and effective for hospital-based care.