Medical Training Review Panel 19th Report

Data Quality Issues

The quality of the MTRP report, as a single reference point covering all aspects of medical education and training, is dependent on the provision and collation of comprehensive information from all contributors. Data templates and specifications defining each data element and the periods covered have been developed for all areas of the report with the assistance of members of the Data Subcommittee. The specifications used in compilation of this report are attached in Appendix E.

These continued enhancements have greatly improved the comparability of data between state and territories and specialties within tables. This has, however, affected comparability of data across years. Where this is known to have significantly impacted the analysis of time series data, this has been noted.

There are a number of areas in which there have been attempts to source more and/or improved information, in particular to quantify activity in relation to the training and supervision of international medical graduates and specialists and the country from which they obtained their primary medical qualifications and previously worked. It is hoped that specialist medical colleges will introduce new data items that will allow this information to be presented in future reports.

The NMTAN is dedicated to continue working with state and territories, specialist medical colleges and relevant external agencies to improve the data and provide more comprehensive information in medical training as necessary to inform policy and planning decisions.