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 la ck of career paths, poor financial remuneration, problems with lack of rese arch funding and the small size of departments. Increased demands from the clinical service and lack of 'start-up' research funds act as a deterrent t o recruitment of junior academics. Clinical academics need to convince gove rnments that, without strong and continuing academic leadership, there will be a deterioration in patient care, teaching and research in obstetrics an d gynaecology.