The Australian Medical Students' Association congratulated the federal government on their decision to boost funding to a program that will encourage more medical trainees to undertake a career in general practice.

The Pre-Vocational General Practice Placement Program (PGPPP) is a scheme that gives junior doctors an opportunity to experience general practice in their prevocational years. Health Minister Nicola Roxon today announced that the number of places available on the program would increase to 360 places per annum with the new funding injection.

AMSA President Michael Bonning said that this was a real win for the future of the general practice workforce in Australia and would go a long way to encouraging more students and junior doctors to consider a career in general practice.

"This investment into the PGPPP program could not come at a more critical time. Currently 27% of graduating medical students will embark on a career in general practice. Projections indicate that by 2012, this number will need to increase to 34% to meet workforce requirements," Mr Bonning said.

"Experience suggests that students find the general practice rotation in medical school a highly rewarding and positive experience. However, in the past, there has been no opportunity to build on this experience in the prevocational years, resulting in a loss of students who may have undertaken a career in general practice to other specialties.

"The PGPPP program affords junior doctors these opportunities, and ensures a seamless transition from general practice experience as a medical student, to a junior doctor, to advanced training in the discipline," Mr Bonning said.

"Traditionally, general practice has been seen as a well-rewarded, challenging and attractive career choice. If this is to continue, federal government support is essential," he said.

In the face of increased student numbers, the PGPPP program will also provide a new setting for training, and relief to over-stretched hospital training resources.

"AMSA has consistently highlighted the need for training opportunities in expanded settings, to ensure ongoing quality training for each and every medical graduate.

"The PGPPP program is a fantastic opportunity for training in an expanded setting and we look forward to working with the government to find new ways to accommodate future cohorts of medical graduates," he said.

Australian Medical Students' Association