AMAV VICDOC Winter 2024 - Magazine - Page 42
A STRONG HEALTH SYSTEM PUTS THE
PATIENT FIRST, BUT ALSO RECOGNISES THE
IMPORTANCE OF STAFF AND OTHER VOICES.
-
We need to integrate the valuable
perspectives and experiences of our frontline
workers into decision-making for our
healthcare system to be sustainable for
the long term. Without this, systems level
decisions can have a degree of disconnect,
resulting in less buy-in from the staff. In our
quest to develop a robust healthcare system,
we cannot underestimate the importance of
balancing patient care with staff wellbeing.
If we don't look after staff, patient care will
be affected. This means looking for ways
to ensure staff feel respected, valued and
supported for their work and contribution.
WORKFORCE LONGEVITY, ESPECIALLY FOR
JUNIOR DOCTORS, IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED,
AND YET IT PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN A
FUNCTIONAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.
-
Junior doctors are our future workforce,
so we need to set them up to continue to
thrive in a career that feels worthwhile
and for which they feel valued. Workforce
sustainability often focuses on large systems
approaches, but we also need to support
individuals to make their own work
sustainable in the long term. From my
perspective, there are two parts to workforce
sustainability. There’s a numbers-based
component, making sure we have enough
people coming through to fill the positions,
but focusing on numbers is not enough –
we cannot manage with only inexperienced
and junior staff in our hospitals. We also
need to build up a group of people who
are committed and will remain for the
long haul. We need to see our junior
42
AMA VI C TO RIA
staff as more than just service providers;
as our future senior decision makers and
leaders. These are the people who need to
feel valued, invested in and supported to
continually develop. Setting a culture where
junior and senior staff are actively expected
to take time for learning conversations
recognises this. This is an area I am
passionate about – supporting and teaching
others but also improving things that aren’t
working. My role as Medical Director
allows me to contribute to making the
system better.
EFFECTIVE COLLABORATION AND STREAMLINED
COMMUNICATION ARE VITAL FOR SUSTAINING
THE HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE.
-
Victoria’s healthcare system thrives on
a systems-based approach and a culture
of innovation. However, challenges like
funding constraints and inter-hospital
coordination gaps persist. Addressing these
weaknesses is paramount for strengthening
healthcare foundations and ensuring
resilience amidst evolving demands.
Reimagining funding models to prioritise
patient care and incentivise collaboration
would reinforce healthcare system resilience.
There are coordination challenges across
Victorian hospitals and a need for enhanced
collaboration and funding model changes
to support patient care and centralisation to
improve efficiency. At PMCV, we’re working
on building our networks of educators from
different hospitals. We should always be
asking, are there projects that we can work
on together, or systems or processes that
could be centralised?
