The peak doctors' association has called on the ACT health system to increase its transparency after sitting on a critical report about the training of junior doctors for a year.
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A report released under freedom of information laws revealed just 37 per cent of trainee physicians passed their clinical exams in 2019.
It found most were suffering from burnout and often working unsafe hours in breach of their enterprise agreement.
Australian Medical Association ACT president Antonio Di Dio said the review should have at least been shared with relevant stakeholders and doctors.
"You've got to give them congratulations for commissioning the report in the first place, and for beginning to implement its findings," he said.
"But if promises are public then it's much easier for stakeholders to be able to be hold the government to account.
"Many junior doctors are upset by the way they are treated in relation to rostering, the way they are taught, and the lack of support from their employers and some of the senior doctors.
"All of this happens in the context of our thanks and appreciation for the very genuine steps to improve the culture of Canberra Hospital."
He said strong trainee programs were critical for the ACT to be able to deliver medical services in key specialties.
Some junior doctors who spoke to The Canberra Times disputed claims made by Canberra Health Services that morale had significantly increased in recent months.
One doctor said the hospital had been under increased pressure and many departments were understaffed, with registrars and residents forced to complete significant overtime.
"The administration in various departments is unwilling or unable to hire sufficient staff," they said.
Opposition health spokeswoman Giulia Jones says health professionals are working harder than humans should ever have to.
"Any of us will surge in an emergency, but it isn't sustainable to permanently surge," she said.
"The outcomes of that are things like people giving up on the profession, or people becoming depressed.
"I mean this feels like something from the industrial revolution here, doctors are not slaves and they need to have a break as well."
Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said the organisation had shown leadership by commissioning the external review.
"Of the 50-plus recommendations, about 38 of those are assessed as having already been addressed," she said.
"I would say to all of our junior doctors across the system, they are an incredibly important part of our health services."
ACT politics and health reporter Contact me with tips, story ideas, or just to have a chat, at daniella.white@canberratimes.com.au
ACT politics and health reporter Contact me with tips, story ideas, or just to have a chat, at daniella.white@canberratimes.com.au
