The new doctors, classmates at Monash University's medical school, have been posted to Casey Hospital for their first 10-week internship.

They are among about 700 new doctors who began work in public hospitals across the state last month, including 85 who started at Southern Health.

Dr Rajadurai, who is working in the general medical ward, said seeing 'Doctor' on his name tag and mail had felt strange at first - "but they call me 'Doctor' in my cricket team now so I'm getting used to it".

He said he had coped with the transition from student to doctor quite well. "It's been challenging but not overwhelming. I've never had a moment when I thought I couldn't cope. There is so much support and so many people to help."

His most challenging moment came when he did an evening cover shift - part of the interns' training - in the palliative care ward.

"One of my patients passed away. It was my first experience of death so yes, that was hard."

Dr Yeo, who describes herself as the black sheep of a family of accountants, has become familiar with death through her posting to the palliative care ward.

"You're dealing with families and there's a lot of emotion but the nurses and other doctors are very experienced and good at dealing with the situation.

"I'm just there trying to learn as much as I can and hope one day to be like them. We can do a lot to comfort and care for our patients, so that's rewarding."

New doctors must complete an intern year at a public hospital, which includes rounds in a range of clinical areas and time in metropolitan and rural hospitals, before they can begin further studies in a specialist area.

While Dr Rajadurai is keen to specialise in rheumatology, Dr Yeo is torn between rheumatology and infectious diseases. "I really like the diagnostic aspect - solving the mystery. There are some weird diseases out there."

Australian Medical Association Victoria vice-president Dr Stephen Parnis said he was pleased the state government had increased intern places to cater for the growing number of medical graduates but there was still a large shortfall of specialist training places.