Profile and recruitment in Australasia

There are 12 medical schools in Australia and New Zealand producing a total of 1600 graduates per year. Academic recruitment is poor as a result of lack of career paths, poor financial remuneration, problems with lack of research funding and the small size of departments. Increased demands from the clinical service and lack of ‘start-up’ research funds act as a deterrent to recruitment of junior academics. Clinical academics need to convince governments that, without strong and continuing academic leadership, there will be a deterioration in patient care, teaching and research in obstetrics and gynaecology.