The Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association Specialist Trainee Support Program

The STSP is an example of Indigenous leadership in programmatic design and implementation: AIDA holds a unique position to offer Indigenous leadership in medical training settings, and in the design and delivery of the STSP. [...] Increasing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce is one approach to enhancing cultural safety in the health care system. [...] The STSP, therefore, represents a key evidence-based initiative to strengthen the presence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors in non-GP specialist roles. About this Project Karabena Consulting Trust (Karabena) was engaged by AIDA to undertake an external evaluation of the STSP. [...] This contributes to a culturally unsafe work and training environment, an experience affirmed in the consultations conducted as part of this evaluation. [...] This suggests an urgent need for training colleges to embrace more flexible and culturally accommodating training arrangements to improve the recruitment, retention, and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees - further evidence that the STSP is necessary.22 | Page The Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association Specialist Trainee Support Program Evaluation Report Thr [...] Overall, Karabena’s review of trainee feedback demonstrates that the STSP's approach to professional development for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees is satisfactory. [...] New Zealand has acknowledged the significant underrepresentation of Māori in the medical workforce and is implementing strategic initiatives to address this gap. [...] This sense of community and belonging contrasts the often isolating experience of medical training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, addressing a key barrier to successful completion. ‘Had the STSP program not been there... [...] The leadership of AIDA is pivotal to the STSP's effectiveness and authenticity, ensuring that the program is directly informed by the realities and needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in medical training. [...] While employing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff in leadership and support positions within each college remains a challenge, by engaging with AIDA the consortium of colleges is progressing toward a commitment to Indigenous leadership and perspectives. 9.