UQ sets ambitious target to increase First Nations doctors in Central Queensland

The University of Queensland has launched an ambitious strategy to train more First Nations doctors, with many expected to stay on to practice in regional and rural communities.

In the collaborative strategy, Regional Medical Pathway partners will work towards ensuring First Nations students make up 15 per cent of Central Queensland enrolments in UQ’s Doctor of Medicine.

UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry AC said the First Nations Growth Strategy would help to accelerate the supply of medical graduates in Central Queensland communities experiencing shortages.

“We are deeply committed to ensuring more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors graduate through the program to address the very real workforce need for First Nations clinicians,” Professor Terry said.

“This strategy is a vehicle for change and has been co-designed with First Nations Elders in partnership with Bidgerdii Community Health Service to deliver on this as part of the University’s Queensland Commitment.”

The Regional Medical Pathway allows students to study in their communities and is a collaboration involving UQ, Central Queensland University (CQU), Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service (CQHHS) and the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service (WBHHS).

Director of UQ Medical School’s Rural Clinical School, Professor Riitta Partanen, said the purpose of the First Nations Growth Strategy was to create a locally centred, Indigenous-led focus on the recruitment, retention and graduation of First Nations medical students, with a specific focus on Central Queensland.

“We want to ensure they are supported before, during and after their graduation in a true end-to-end pathway and establish medical professionals with an authentic connection to the region,” Professor Partanen said.

Associate Dean (Indigenous Engagement) Professor Thelma Parker said the strategy was centred around unlocking growth for Indigenous doctors through community centred partnerships.

“The strategy was led by the UQ-developed Wisdom Council for Indigenous Knowledges and Bidgerdii Community Health Service, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled primary health care service,” Professor Parker said.

“Local community perspectives were centred, and the plan was signed off by 14 community Elders to ensure it is fully culturally appropriate and owned by the community.

“It’s this collaboration that will ensure its success.

“This is really important as we work towards closing the gap and ensuring the community is fully aware of the various pathways into medicine and the opportunities that are available for students to study and work in their local communities,” she said.

In 2023, UQ successfully applied for funding to support 10 additional Commonwealth-funded places in Central Queensland in the Doctor of Medicine program, and the 15 per cent target was part of the agreement.

The growth strategy is designed to ensure First Nations students have support throughout the whole process, from applying and meeting the entry requirements for Central Queensland University’s Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) and UQ’s Doctor of Medicine, through to graduation and beyond.

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