A survey commissioned by the Australian Medical Association has found that doctors and nurses are rated as the country's most trusted professions respectively, with Western Australians also having a soft spot for teachers, engineers, accountants and trade
A survey commissioned by the Australian Medical Association has found that doctors and nurses are rated as the country's most trusted professions respectively, with Western Australians also having a soft spot for teachers, engineers, accountants and tradespeople.
The survey of more than 1000 people, as conducted by the Queensland branch of the AMA, yielded similar results across all the states and territories with the exception of Tasmania where nurses were the most trusted with doctors coming in second.
AMA Queensland president, Dr Mason Stevenson said it was ironic Australia's most trusted profession was having difficulty as a result of one of the least trusted, politicians.
"Hopefully this poll will push governments' to support Australian doctors and address bureaucratic red tape, insufficient funds and bed shortages," Dr Stevenson said.
"Just under half of those surveyed (46.76 per cent) chose doctors as the most trusted professionals with nurses coming in second at 20.74 per cent."
Across Australia, teachers came in third most trusted with 15.05 per cent followed by engineers (7.38 per cent), accountants (3.99 per cent) and tradesmen (2.49 per cent).
Lawyers had only 2.39 per cent of the vote, while real estate agents, journalists, salespeople and politicians all received less than 0.5 per cent of the vote.
Full announcement below:
DOCTORS VOTED MOST TRUSTED PROFESSIONALS IN AUSTRALIA
Doctors have been rated as Australia's most trusted professionals in an independent survey of more than 1000 people commissioned by AMA Queensland.
AMA Queensland President Dr Mason Stevenson said it was ironic Australia's most trusted profession was having difficulty as a result of one of the least trusted, politicians.
"Hopefully this poll will push governments' to support Australian doctors and address bureaucratic red tape, insufficient funds and bed shortages," Dr Stevenson said.
"Just under half of those surveyed (46.76%) chose doctors as the most trusted professionals with nurses coming in second at 20.74%
"Doctors and nurses are entrusted with people's lives, so it is vital people believe in what we do and how we conduct ourselves.
"It is pleasing to see we have the community's trust."
Across Australia, teachers came in third most trusted with 15.05% followed by engineers (7.38%), accountants (3.99%) and tradesmen (2.49%).
Lawyers had only 2.39% of the vote, while real estate agents, journalists, salespeople and politicians all received less than 0.5% of the vote.
Dr Stevenson said a breakdown of the vote in each state and territory showed doctors were rated highly across the country by all age groups, especially those aged above 60.
"More than 62% of the respondents aged between 60 and 64 trusted doctors the most," he said.
"Perhaps it isn't surprising that as people get older they hold doctors in even more regard as they are usually spending more time with medical professionals."
Doctors topped the most trusted list in all states except Tasmania where they were just pipped by nurses.
In Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT, Northern Territory and Western Australia, politicians did not receive a single vote.
"Politicians clearly have some work to do to regain not only the trust of medical professionals but also that of the general community," he said.
SURVEY RESULTS
Each survey respondent was asked the following question:
Of the following, who do you trust the most? Please select one.
NATIONAL
Doctor (46.76%), Nurse (20.74%), Teacher (15.05%), Engineer (7.38%), Accountant (3.99%), Tradesman (2.49%), Lawyer/Solicitor (2.39%) Salesperson/Politician (0.4%), Journalist/Real Estate Agent (0.2%)
QUEENSLAND
Doctor (48.46%), Nurse (17.71%), Teacher (13.54%), Engineer (7.29%), Accountant (5.21%), Tradesman (3.65%), Lawyer/Solicitor (2.6%), Salesperson (1.04%), Real Estate Agent/Journalist/Politician (0%)
NEW SOUTH WALES
Doctor (49.85%), Nurse (19.82%), Teacher (15.02%), Engineer (5.41%), Lawyer/Solicitor (3.3%), Tradesman (2.7%), Accountant (2.4%), Politician (0.6%), Journalist/Salesperson/Real Estate Agent (0.3%)
VICTORIA
Doctor (43.48%), Nurse (21.74%), Teacher (17%), Engineer (8.3%), Accountant (4.35%), Lawyer/Solicitor (1.98%), Tradesman (1.19%), Politician (0.79%), Journalist/Salesperson/Real Estate Agent (0.4%)
SA
Doctor (52.5%), Nurse (22.5%), Teacher (12.5%), Engineer (10%), Accountant/Tradesman (1.25%), Lawyer/Solicitor/Politician/Journalist/Salesperson/Real Estate Agent (0%)
WA
Doctor (39.8%), Nurse (22.45%), Teacher (17.35%), Engineer/Accountant (8.16%), Tradesman (3.06%), Lawyer/Solicitor (1.02%), Politician/Journalist/Salesperson/Real Estate Agent (0%)
NT
Doctor (57.14%), Nurse (28.57%), Lawyer/Solicitor (14.29%), Teacher/Engineer/Accountant/Tradesman/Politician/Journalist/Salesperson/Real Estate Agent (0%)
TAS
Nurse (40%), Doctor (30%), Engineer/Teacher (10%), Accountant/Tradesman (5%), Politician/Journalist/Salesperson/Real Estate Agent (0%)
ACT
Doctor (40%), Nurse/Teacher/Engineer (15%), Accountant/Lawyer/Solicitor/Tradesman (5%), Politician/Journalist/Salesperson/Real Estate Agent (0%)
