The Fiji Medical Association has expressed concerns regarding the quality of doctors graduating from the nation’s internship programs. This issue was brought to light during the association’s annual conference held at the Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa over the weekend.
During a presentation titled “The Fiji Medical Internship Program – FMA’s Wide Consultation,” executive council member Dr. Sailosi Ratumaitavuki discussed the current two-year medical internship program in Fiji. He stated that the purpose of the consultation was to address mounting worries from stakeholders and the medical community.
Medical professionals reported that graduates entering the internship program often lack readiness, and they highlighted difficulties in supervision due to a disproportionate number of interns compared to the limited capacity for oversight. Additionally, there were concerns about inadequate clinical exposure, as interns face reduced case loads due to overcrowded rotations and outdated infrastructure that cannot accommodate the increasing number of interns and the broader population.
These issues, they argued, are adversely affecting the quality of medical professionals being trained. Dr. Ratumaitavuki noted that the FMA engaged with various stakeholders, including medical schools, hospital management, supervisors, interns, and medical students. Focus groups, surveys, and interviews were conducted, along with data gathering from the Health Ministry and the FMDC Standards Committee.
He indicated that similar concerns were consistently raised across all consultations in various medical divisions, including central, eastern, northern, and western regions.