PREVOCATIONAL doctors Guide to gp training
YOUR GP TRAINING SURVIVAL KIT H ow to A pply plus A ll you ne e d to know ab out c oll e g es , R egional T raining Provi de rs and mor e ... GENERAL PRACTICE REGISTRARS AUSTRALIA T: 1300 131 198 E: enquiries@gpra.org.au www.gpra.org.au
2010
GPcompass
Contents Applying for General Practice training How to apply for GP training
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About General Practice training The GP training landscape The RACGP Fellowship The RACGP’s Fellowship in Advanced Rural General Practice (FARGP) The ACRRM Fellowship The ADF: a force in GP training Jargon buster 10 hot questions on the 10 year moratorium
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Regional Training Providers
Contact MDA National today and find out What’s in it for You.
Regional Training Providers in Australia ACT/NSW CoastCityCountry Training (CCCT) NSW General Practice Training Valley to Coast (GPTVC) NSW GP Synergy NSW North Coast GP Training (NCGPT) NSW WentWest NSW/VIC Bogong Regional Training Network NSW/VIC Greater Western GP Training VIC Gippsland Education and Training for General Practice (getGP) VIC Victorian Metropolitan Alliance General Practice Training (VMA) VIC/SA Greater Green Triangle (GGT) SA Adelaide to Outback GP Training Program (AOGP) SA Sturt Fleurieu General Practice Education and Training QLD Central and Southern Queensland Training Consortium (CSQTC) QLD Queensland Rural Medical Education (QRME) QLD Tropical Medical Training (TMT) WA Western Australian General Practice Education and Training (WAGPET) TAS General Practice Training Tasmania (GPTT) NT Northern Territory General Practice Education (NTGPE) Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS)
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Getting support Your GPRA support team
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Produced with funding support from
GPRA would like to acknowledge the support of our patron, Professor John Murtagh, and his invaluable contribution to General Practice. Prof. Murtagh is Adjunct Professor of General Practice, Monash University and Professorial Fellow in the Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne. He practises part-time as a general practitioner at East Bentleigh and has teaching responsibilities at three Melbourne-based universities. He is also the author of
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Applying for General Practice training
several internationally adopted textbooks, including General Practice.
GPRA wishes to acknowledge our sponsors for supporting this publication: Platinum Sponsor: Avant Mutual Group Founding Benefactor: Dr Jerry Schwartz, The Schwartz Family Co. GPSN Founding Sponsor: MDA National Insurance Pty Ltd Co-Sponsors: Adelaide to Outback GP Training Program, Aspen Pharmacare, Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, Australian Defence Force, Australian Locum Medical Service, Bogong Regional Training Network, Central and Southern Queensland Training Consortium, Department of Health and Ageing, Health 24/7, General Practice Training Valley to Coast, Matraville Medical Complex, McMasters’ (Vic) Pty Ltd, Medical Insurance Group Australia, Medical Recruitment Pty Ltd, More Doctors Initiative from Department of Health and Ageing, MIMS Australia, National E-Health Transition Authority Ltd, North Coast GP Training, Northern Territory General Practice Education, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Rural Workforce Agency Victoria, The Doctors’ Health Fund and WentWest Limited. Business Partners: Australian Doctor, FPA Health Pty Ltd, General Practice Education and Training, Healthed Pty Ltd, Medical Observer and Ochre Recruitment Pty Ltd. Subeditor: Jan Walker. Graphic Design: Marie-Joelle Design & Advertising. Marketing: Kate Marie. Printing: Fishprint. GPRA wishes to thank all the contributing authors for their work and guidance. We also thank the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing for their continued support and assistance.
All rights are reserved. All materials contained in this publication are protected by Australian copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of General Practice Registrars Australia Ltd (GPRA) or in the case of third party materials, the owner of that content.You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the publication. All efforts have been made to ensure that material presented in this publication is correct at the time of publishing. Due to the rapidly changing nature of the industry, GPRA does not make any guarantee concerning the continued accuracy or reliability of the content.
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Applications commence on 14 May 2010 for the 2011 intake in the Australian General Practice Training program. You may apply during your internship year to commence the following year. Alternatively, you can apply later in your hospital training.
Applying for General Practice Training
Applying for General Practice Training
How to apply for GP training
DO IT NOW
Once you have decided that General Practice is for you, here’s what you need to do to apply for the Australian General Practice Training program.
F
irst visit the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) website at www.agpt.com.au
Go to “Apply for AGPT” on the home page and click on “New Applicants”, then read the Applicant Guide 2011 and other suggested information. To enrol in the AGPT program you must have: Australian citizenship or permanent residency; medical qualifications; and medical registration.
The 10 Year Moratorium and pathways Australian General Practice Training is divided into two pathways, Rural and General. General Pathway Registrars undertake the majority of training in urban locations. They must also undertake a minimum of 12 months in a rural and/or outer metropolitan area.
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Rural Pathway Registrars undertake the majority of training in rural and remote locations (a minimum of 18 months). Doctors who are a) international medical graduates or b) Australian medical graduates who were not Australian permanent residents when they commenced their medical degree may be subject to the 10 Year Moratorium. (Please refer to page 32 for further details.) Doctors who are affected by the 10 Year Moratorium can only apply for the Rural Pathway (unless they have an exemption). All other eligible doctors may apply for the General or Rural Pathways.
Vocational recognition The vocational endpoints of the AGPT program are Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP) and Fellowship of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (FACRRM).
The application process Applicants must complete and submit an application form (including certified copies of the required supporting documentation and three passport size photos) by the due date. Apply online at www.agpt.com.au/ApplyforAGPT/ NewApplicants/
Contributed by the AGPT program, General Practice Education and Training Limited (GPET)
Applications for the 2011 intake open on 14 May 2010 and close on 16 June 2010. To apply, visit www.agpt.com.au/ ApplyforAGPT/NewApplicants/ To see whether you are eligible to apply, check the Program Eligibility Guide at www.agpt.com.au Begin preparing your application well before the opening date because you will need to do some research and get together all the required documentation. (Visit www.agpt.com.au for details.) Research which region you would like to train in. Check the Regional Training Provider profiles in this guide, look at their websites, visit their regions and headquarters. It is a good idea to register with the GPRA Mentors Program at www.gpra. org.au and speak to someone training in your chosen region or regions. Read this GPRA guide. Read the AGPT Handbook 2011 and the AGPT Applicant Guide 2011, available at www.agpt.com.au For further information regarding your eligibility and/or the selection process, visit www.agpt.com.au or contact the AGPT selection team at selection@gpet.com.au or (02) 6263 6776.
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WE CAN HELP YOU REACH YOUR CAREER TARGETS
2
About
General Practice training The General Practice vocational training landscape is organised a little differently from other specialties. To the novice it can seem confusing at first, but you will soon find it easy to navigate.
FIND OUT MORE www.gpra.org.au • enquiries@gpra.org.au • 1300 131 198
About General Practice Training
About General Practice Training
The Australian General Practice Training Program
The
GP training
landscape
Postgraduate Resident Years You must have completed at least 1 year of hospital experience before commencing training. You may apply for AGPT in your internship year.
Australian General Practice Training
Year 2
Core Clinical Training (Hospital)
Hospital Term
GP Terms
Primary Rural & Remote Training t RACGP Exam
GP Terms Year 3 Year 4 *optional
Primary Rural & Remote Training t
RACGP Fellowship (eligible for Medicare provider number)
Training towards FRACGP
tyears 2-4 of ACRRM training can be completed in any order
ACRRM Fellowship (eligible for Medicare provider number)
Training towards FACRRM
• Registrars select to train in the General Pathway or the Rural Pathway Applicants affected by the 10 Year Moratorium are required to join the Rural Pathway
• Registrars can elect to train towards one, two or all Fellowships
General Practice Education and Training Ltd information current at February 2009 General Practice Education and Training Limited ABN: 95 095 433 140
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I
Advanced Specialised Training t
*Advanced Training
RACGP Fellowship in Advanced Rural General Practice
ACRRM Assessment
Year 1
These frequently asked questions will give you a better insight into how your GP training is structured. f you are a little confused about the structure of General Practice training, that is probably because GP training is organised very differently to any other vocational training program in Australia.
What is the difference? Nearly all other training programs in Australia are essentially run by the colleges such as the College of Physicians, Surgeons or Emergency Medicine. The colleges select applicants, provide training material, play a part in organising educational activities (although these are primarily delivered by the relevant hospital) and set training standards and the examination. Registrars work in the hospital system under the supervision of Consultants. GP training most obviously differs from other training programs in that, other than the initial year of Hospital Terms, it occurs mostly in a private practice setting. What may not be as obvious is that the two colleges of General Practice, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Australian College
of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), are not responsible for all aspects of GP training.
Who is GPET (General Practice Education and Training Ltd)? GPET is a wholly owned government company established in 2001 by the Commonwealth Government to fund and oversee General Practice vocational training in Australia. Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) is the name of the training program for GP Registrars. GPET contracts with Regional Training Providers (RTPs) Australia-wide, which deliver the AGPT program to about 2,500 GP Registrars. Selection of candidates is initially organised by GPET in conjunction with RTPs, who interview applicants.
What are RTPs? RTP stands for Regional Training Provider. RTPs contract with GPET and deliver the AGPT program in their designated region. Candidates applying for GP training are asked to nominate and rank in order of preference the RTPs in which they are willing to train. The administration
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About General Practice Training
of the training program, delivery of educational activities and training material are provided by the RTPs. For those training in isolated rural locations, there is another alternative to the RTPs – the Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS).
What are the training pathways and obligations? You can enrol to do the General Pathway or Rural Pathway. (Doctors from overseas are required to do the Rural Pathway.) If you do the General Pathway, you are required to do 12 months of your training in a rural or outer metropolitan location, or six months in each as approved by your RTP to meet workforce needs.
What is the role of the two colleges of General Practice? RACGP and ACRRM set training standards, set examinations and assessments, accredit training placements and sign off on completion of training by Registrars. Attainment of the Fellowship of the RACGP (FRACGP) or the Fellowship of ACRRM (FACRRM) is necessary to become vocationally registered for independent General Practice in Australia under the Medicare system.
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About General Practice Training
ACRRM has specifically designed its curriculum to meet the needs of doctors practising in the rural and remote context. However, Fellows of ACRRM may ultimately practise anywhere in Australia – rural and remote or urban. The RACGP’s curriculum is designed to prepare GPs for practice in any setting. Those who want to complement their FRACGP with more specialised rural and remote skills can do the RACGP’s Fellowship in Advanced Rural General Practice (FARGP). However, it is important to note that the FARGP is a complementary qualification not a stand-alone Fellowship for vocational registration. It is designed as a fourth year of advanced rural and remote skills for those who have completed their FRACGP. Other optional additional training for rural and remote practice is available. Registrars may be eligible for additional Emergency Skills courses. (Talk to your RTP and start to arrange these as soon as possible as courses such as EMST may have waiting lists as long as your training time!) You may wish to complete one, two or three qualifications (FRACGP/FARGP and FACRRM) and this can be integrated into your training course from the beginning. See the college websites for details, www.racgp.org.au and www.acrrm.org.au
Why does all this matter? Understanding the structure and the fact that a number of entities are involved in GP training may help to explain some of the paperwork and hopefully reduce confusion. Each organisation involved in GP training is seeking feedback from Registrars, which should explain why there are so many surveys. Information provided to GPET may not be available to the colleges or vice versa, hence the need to sometimes supply the same information more than once. Another point to keep in mind is that RTPs are essentially independent from each other. Although GPET sets relevant policy for RTPs, some policies may be open to interpretation. Don’t necessarily rely on advice from friends doing the training program in another RTP. In such an environment, with so many different entities involved, and each with a slightly different focus on GP training, it also highlights the importance and relevance of General Practice Registrars Australia (GPRA).
DO IT NOW For more information about the Australian General Practice Training program, visit www.agpt.com.au or the college websites www.racgp.org.au and www.acrrm.org.au You can talk directly to your RTP, or their Registrar Liaison Officer (RLO). There’s also lots of helpful information at www.gpra.org.au, you can phone GPRA on 1300 131 198 or send an email to enquiries@gpra.org.au
Contributed by Dr George Manoliadis and Dr Jenny Lonergan
GPRA works hard on your behalf to identify and rectify any problems and inconsistencies that may occur when there are so many different stakeholders involved in GP training. If you feel confused or identify a problem with your training, please discuss it with your RTP Registrar Liaison Officer (RLO), who is your link with GPRA, or contact GPRA directly. 11
General Practice Training Landscape
General Practice Training Landscape
The
RACGPFellowship How to become a general practitioner by attaining Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP). What is the FRACGP? The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Fellowship (FRACGP) is a three-year program, comprising one year of hospital residency, 18 months of General Practice placements and six months of Extended Skills. FRACGP is granted to those who have undertaken suitable experience and/or training in General Practice and demonstrated their competence by successfully completing the college examination to achieve vocational registration. FRACGP meets the required standard for doctors wishing to practise as an unsupervised general practitioner anywhere in Australia.
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FRACGP is also recognised by many overseas colleges including the General Practice/ Family Physician Colleges in New Zealand, Ireland, Hong Kong and Malaysia. (Note that some of these countries require additional assessment prior to working there.)
Further training options The Advanced Academic Term is an optional fourth year, allowing part-time work within a university department and part-time work in clinical General Practice. Optional Advanced Rural Skills Posts (ARSPs) can be undertaken at any time during training and offer additional procedural skills in rural General Practice. Examples include Anaesthetics, Aboriginal Health, Obstetrics, Emergency Medicine and Mental Health.
The college also offers an additional Fellowship qualification – Fellowship in Advanced Rural General Practice (FARGP). (For further information, see page 16.)
About the FRACGP examination The FRACGP examination comprises: »» two written segments – the Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) and Key Feature Problems (KFP); »» plus one clinical segment – the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). You must successfully complete the three assessments within a three-year period. You may sit each segment of the exam individually at your own pace. However, you must sit and pass the Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) before you can continue to other assessments.
Am I eligible to sit the examination?
When can I apply to sit the FRACGP exam?
To be eligible to sit the college examination, all Registrar candidates are required to: Have current medical registration.
You can apply to sit the college examination while completing your General Practice training and when you meet the eligibility criteria. Your Supervisor or Medical Educator can advise you if they think you are ready, or if you may be best to wait another six months before you sit the exam.
Be a current financial member of the RACGP. Have achieved certified competence in a recognised CPR course in the 12 months prior to enrolment. Be a General Practice Registrar undertaking Australian General Practice Training.
DO IT NOW For more information, visit www.racgp.org.au
Contributed by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Have completed eight active units of training in Australian General Practice Training which may include approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), or at least 12 months in the Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS).
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Dr Charlotte Reddington, intern
Medical school 4–6 years Internship year (PGY1) You can apply for general practice training in this year to commence your first year of training in your second year after graduation. Postgraduate resident years You must complete at least 1 year of hospital experience, however, many people benefit from 2 or more years experience. You can undertake as many postgraduate years as you wish before applying for general practice training.
Application for general practice training General Practice Education and Training 9GPET) is the body that selects you for the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program. The training is delivered by one of the Regional Training Providers throughout Australia.
General practice training (general practice registrar) 3 years comprising 1 year of hospital residency including a rotation caring for sick children; 18 months of general practice placements; and 6 months extended skills in a term of your choice. Part time training and up to 3 years leave are available. RACGP college examination
Prevocational General Practice Placements Program (PGPPP)* (optional) Work in outer metropolitan, regional, rural or remote areas and gain practical experience in general practice. *please check entrance eligibility with your state/territory as it may vary
4th year training (optional) The advanced academic terms allow you to work part time within a university department and part time in general practice. The advanced rural skills posts are designed for doctors to gain additional skills relevant to rural general practice. These may be undertaken at any time throughout your training depending on your educational needs.
Successful completion of RACGP training and assessment RACGP Fellowship You are now qualified to practise unsupervised as a GP. QA&CPD General practitioners undertake quality assurance and continuing professional development throughout their medical career to maintain their professional standing.
Additional eduation in rural general practice The college offers further rural education through our Fellowship in Advanced Rural General Practice (FARGP). You can work toward this qualification at the same time as you prepare for your FRACGP.
$OO WKH FOLQLFDO UHVRXUFHV WRROV DQG VXSSRUW \RX QHHG IRU JHQHUDO SUDFWLFH As your professional college, The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is committed to ensuring general practice remains a satisfying and rewarding vocation for your entire general practice career, and actively advocates on behalf of the profession. Your RACGP resident/intern membership provides you with the practical clinical resources and online learning tools you need to support your medical training and journey through general practice. Your membership also offers a confidential GP Support Program^ to assist in coping with personal and work related stress, as well as a suite of other valuable member services. ^ The GP Support Program is a confidential service provided by professional registered psychologists. It is available only to RACGP members who are Australian registered medical practitioners. www.racgp.org.au/gpsupport
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About General Practice Training
About General Practice Training
The RACGP’s Fellowship in Advanced Rural General Practice
(FARGP)
The FARGP is a Fellowship that extends the FRACGP program to offer advanced training in the skills required for rural and remote practice.
DO IT NOW You can get more information about the Fellowship in Advanced Rural General Practice (FARGP) from your RTP or by emailing di.schaefer@racgp.org.au at RACGP’s National Rural Faculty, phoning 1800 636 764 or visiting www.racgp.org.au/rural
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What is the FARGP?
Requirements for FARGP
Registrars have a choice of two endpoints through the RACGP – the FRACGP to achieve General Practice vocational recognition (three years) and those who want recognition of their advanced rural and remote skills may continue to train to the FARGP (four years), and attain both the FRACGP and the FARGP.
Candidates must have completed their FRACGP before they can be awarded their FARGP.
The FARGP may also be used for hospital credentialing and appointments.
Assessment for FARGP is based on a Learning and Educational Assessment Portfolio (LEAP). There is no formal final examination as the portfolio is based on continuous assessment.
However, training to the RACGP curriculum and Advanced Rural Skills Training curriculum is closely integrated, so many requirements can be achieved concurrently.
Registrars must undertake a minimum of 12 months of training in accredited Rural Training Posts, plus 12 months in an accredited Advanced Rural Skills Training Post (ARSP).
Skills curricula have been developed in consultation with the other medical specialty colleges such as the RANZCOG (for Obstetrics), ANZCA (for Anaesthetics) and RACS (for Surgery). The FARGP also includes two core distance education modules – Working in Rural General Practice and Emergency Medicine. Registrars can design a program that responds to their specific interests. If circumstances change, Registrars have the flexibility to revert to the three-year FRACGP program only.
Contributed by Di Schaefer, RACGP National Rural Faculty
Advanced Rural Skills Posts (ARSPs) ARSPs are available in: Anaesthetics Obstetrics Surgery Aboriginal Health Mental Health Paediatrics Emergency Medicine Adult Internal Medicine Small Town General Practice Advanced Rural Skills Training can also be designed to meet the needs of an individual Registrar or their community; for example, Palliative Care, Drug and Alcohol Misuse, Musculoskeletal and Expedition Medicine. Individual ARSPs must be approved by the RACGP’s National Rural Faculty after consultation with your Medical Educator.
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About General Practice Training
About General Practice Training
The
ACRRM
Fellowship
The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) has specifically designed their GP training program to meet the needs of the rural and remote practitioner. What is the FACRRM? Fellowship of ACRRM is an approved pathway to vocational registration and unrestricted General Practice anywhere in Australia. It is a four-year integrated training program for Registrars wanting to train for Rural and Remote Medicine. The training occurs in an “on the job” environment as a Registrar in an accredited General Practice, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service, Royal Flying Doctor Service or as a medical officer in an accredited hospital setting. Candidates wishing to achieve a Fellowship of ACRRM are able to choose from three training pathways: the Vocational Preparation Pathway delivered by Regional Training Providers with funding from 18
GPET; the Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS ) for doctors working in isolated rural communities who find it difficult to leave their community to participate in training; and the Independent Pathway which is suitable for doctors with experience in rural and remote who prefer self-directed learning. To see which pathway is most suitable for you see the ACRRM website for more information.
Vocational training program components The ACRRM training program comprises three spheres of learning and experience (see flowchart on page 20). Core Clinical Training. Candidates complete 12 months of training in an ACRRM-accredited metropolitan, provincial or regional/rural hospital. This should ideally include rotations
in General Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Anaesthetics, General Surgery, Paediatrics and Emergency Medicine Primary Rural and Remote Training. Candidates undertake 24 months of training in a combination of rural or remote ACRRM-accredited hospitals, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services or General Practices/communitybased facilities, or a combination of these. The Registrar works with increasing autonomy and manages an increasing range of conditions. The specific procedures, breadth and depth of practice are defined by the Primary Curriculum and Procedural Skills Logbook. Advanced Specialised Training. Candidates undertake 12 months of training in one of 10 ACRRM-accredited disciplines listed in the flowchart
on page 20. Many FACRRM candidates undertake training in a procedural discipline.
FACRRM assessment Candidates must work in accredited training posts and successfully complete the following assessments: Multisource Feedback (MSF), Mini Clinical Evaluation Exercise (miniCEX), Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) exam and Structured Assessment Using Multiple Patient Scenarios (StAMPS). There is considerable flexibility in the timing of the assessments and candidates are able to undertake each assessment component within or close to their local community. To achieve FACRRM, candidates must also successfully complete four ACRRM online modules and Emergency Skills courses approved by ACRRM (for example, EMST/ELS/PHTLS or equivalent, APLS, ALSO).
DO IT NOW For more information, visit the ACRRM website (www.acrrm.org.au), call ACRRM on 1800 223 226 or contact ACRRM Vocational Training, training@acrrm.org.au
frequently asked questions How is FACRRM integrated into the AGPT program? Candidates enrolled in the AGPT can elect to train to either or both the FACRRM and the FRACGP. FACRRM training is open to both Rural and General Pathway Registrars. However, General Pathway candidates who wish to pursue FACRRM will need to undertake training within ACRRM-accredited training posts.
Can candidates do both qualifications at the same time? Yes, but requirements for placement, duration of training and completion of training are different between the FACRRM and FRACGP. Candidates seeking both Fellowships will need to talk to their RTP about a program that complies with both colleges.
What is the difference between the ACRRM and RACGP training pathways? The ACRRM program is an integrated program that usually takes four years post-internship. While some posts are suitable for both ACRRM and RACGP candidates, this is not automatic and cannot be assured. ACRRM has a different curriculum and different requirements for accreditation of training posts. ACRRM candidates must train in posts accredited by ACRRM.
Contributed by the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine
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About General Practice Training
The ACRRM Training Program
ACRRM REGISTRAR Core Clinical Training
12 Months In an ACRRM-accredited hospital Terms: • General Medicine • Obstetrics and Gynaecology • Anaesthetics • General Surgery • Paediatrics • Emergency Medicine
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Primary Rural and Remote Training
Advanced Specialised Training
24 Months
12 Months
In any of the following:
One of the following:
• Rural Hospital • Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service • Rural Generalist Practice • RFDS
• Anaesthetics • Obstetrics and Gynaecology • Surgery • Population Health • Remote Medicine • Emergency Medicine • Indigenous Health • Adult Internal Medicine • Mental Health • Paediatrics
NB: Primary Rural and Remote Training and Advanced Specialised Training may be undertaken in any order after the Core Clinical Training year
The
About General Practice Training
About General Practice Training
a force in GP training
Around 2.5% of GPs train in the Australian DeFence force. It’s an opportunity to develop leadership skills and specific medical skills IN A CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT.
T
raining as a GP Registrar in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) offers opportunities and challenges. ADF Registrars must meet the same educational requirements but there are some specific policies relating to ADF GP Registrars to allow for the exigencies of service. These include leave provisions, transfer between RTPs and modified requirements regarding work in outer metropolitan and rural areas.
Civilian and military posts General Practice Terms are undertaken through a combination of civilian and military posts, known as composite terms. Generally, composite terms are accredited only after an initial full-time civilian term, usually a three-month Rural Term (see the AGPT website for policies).
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While most ADF Registrars will select the General stream, exposure to Rural General Practice provides valuable experience in the decisionmaking, leadership, teamwork and clinical skills that can be utilised for ADF clinical practice in Australia and when deployed. Deployments may be prospectively accredited for training. This requires consideration of the proposed learning plan, supervision arrangements and access to support, and requires liaison with the RTP Medical Educator and the State Censor. Initially, Medical Officers (MOs) in the ADF are encouraged to specialise in primary care. This is important because whether in Australia or deployed, ADF personnel need access to high quality primary health care. There are also opportunities to specialise in Public Health,
Medical Administration, Occupational Medicine and Sports Medicine, known in Defence as the force protection specialties. Generally, the procedural specialties (Surgery, Anaesthetics, Orthopaedics) required for providing higher level care on deployments reside within the Reserve Forces.
ADF Medical Officer recruitment Most ADF MOs are recruited as medical students, some directly from universities and others from within the Services. Those recruited from within the Navy, Army or Air Force will have had a prior career in the ADF before selection for re-specialisation to MO. A small number join as direct entry qualified medical practitioners. Medical students and trainees are considered ADF members and attract a salary and
Remuneration
other ADF benefits such as superannuation, allowances, medical and dental care, and accommodation options while under training. The MO’s primary duty is to train at medical school, then complete PGY1 and 2 prior to their first full-time posting to an ADF unit. At the unit, the MO receives further training, in parallel with the AGPT, including officer training, Early Management of Severe Trauma (EMST), and specialist courses such as Aviation Medicine or Underwater Medicine. At the same time, the MO gets acquainted with the military
medical system and the environment in which they work.
Clinical competency levels Clinical employment is based on progression through clinical Competency Levels (CL). Initially CL1, MOs who have completed initial courses and a period of supervised primary care are recognised as CL2. MOs at CL2 have basic skills and are considered suitable for remote supervision in an operational deployment environment. Those who have achieved FRACGP or FACRRM progress to CL3, but at CL2, the real work of a military MO can start.
“You have the opportunity to manage young men who would normally present reluctantly in the wider community. The exposure to areas such as Sports Medicine, Travel Medicine and Occupational Medicine is significant.”
In return for supporting the initial medical training, the ADF requires a Return of Service Obligation (ROSO) or Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS). During internship and residency, Defence continues to pay the MO a salary, while wages earned from the hospital or other employers are paid to Defence consolidated revenue. If hospital pay exceeds military pay, the difference is paid to the MO periodically. MOs at CL2 and above are reimbursed a further $10,000 annually for continuing medical education expenses.
Scope of work ADF MOs are the primary care physicians for ADF personnel. This unique demographic necessitates concurrent exposure to the broader Australian community through civilian and composite terms. Although the exposure to Paediatrics and Geriatrics is limited within the Defence environment there are opportunities. For example, you have the opportunity to manage young men who would normally present reluctantly in the wider community. 23
About General Practice Training
MEDICAL OBSERVER for
Unique challenges
DO IT NOW Medical students, GP Registrars and Fellows wanting to explore a career as an ADF Medical Officer (MO) may find it helpful to speak with a current ADF Registrar. For more information or to apply, call 13 19 01 or visit www.defencejobs.gov.au To speak to a Medical Officer in the ADF, telephone Commander Nicole Curtis, RAN, Staff Officer Medical Officers (02) 6266 4176 or email nicole.curtis@ defence.gov.au
The exposure to areas such as Sports Medicine, Travel Medicine and Occupational Medicine is significant.
Humanitarian efforts Additionally, ADF MOs need skills to operate at the front line wherever the ADF deploys forces or undertakes humanitarian operations such as help for the injured from the Bali bombing or tsunami disaster relief in Banda Aceh. The Defence website lists current military operations in Australia and overseas, most of which involve an MO presence. After completing their initial obligation, MOs may choose to transfer to the Reserve Forces, however some continue full-time and provide ongoing leadership in Australia’s military medical services.
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The RACGP also has a Chapter of Military Medicine for GPs employed in the Australian Defence Force. MOs in the ADF find opportunities to participate in diverse experiences in primary care, reflecting the diversity of General Practice overall. They operate as part of, and often lead, a multidisciplinary team in achieving visible outcomes in a field that is frequently highlighted as worthwhile and promoting Australian interests. Service as a Defence MO provides a supportive, collegiate environment, but it is not for the faint-hearted. The spectre of military discipline is actually not too far removed from other ideas of self-discipline and responsibility. Other exciting challenges include learning about the military medical system, military specialised areas such as Aviation, Underwater and Sports Medicine and the opportunity to move interstate and deploy overseas supported by the organisation.
Contributed by Dr Geoff Menzies
REGISTRARS
BRINGS LIFE TO MEDICINE
Register with Medical Observer for s 0!4)%.4 (!.$/543 s '5)$% 4/ '5)$%,).%3 s %!2. #0$ 0/).43 s #/.&%2%.#% #!,!.$%2 s 2%3/52#% ,)"2!29 s ,%'!, !.$ &).!.#)!, !$6)#%
Find MO’s coverage for registrars at medicalobserver.com.au/registrar or search the registrar section at medicalobserver.com.au/advancedsearch
About General Practice Training
About General Practice Training
Jargon
buster
Acronyms and abbreviations abound in the language of GP training. Crack the code here! AAAPC – The Australian Association for Academic Primary Care Formerly AAAGP. AAPM – Australian Association of Practice Managers ACIR – Australian Childhood Immunisation Register ACRRM – Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine One of two General Practice colleges. Has a curriculum of educational objectives for rural GPs and a Fellowship process for vocational recognition. AFP – Australian Family Physician The official journal of the RACGP. AGPAL – Australian General Practice Accreditation Ltd This organisation completes accreditation of practices throughout Australia. Speak to your practice manager for further information. AGPN – Australian General Practice Network The national body that represents the Divisions. Previously Australian Divisions of General Practice. 26
AGPT – Australian General Practice Training The training program for GP Registrars. AIDA – Australian Indigenous Doctors Association AKT – Applied Knowledge Test A component of the RACGP Fellowship exam. AMPCo – Australian Medical Publishing Company Register with them to get a free subscription to Medicine Today, Australian Doctor and Medical Observer. To arrange this, visit www.ampco.com.au AMA – Australian Medical Association An independent organisation that represents the professional interests of all doctors including political, legal and industrial.
Divisions of General Practice Federally funded to provide support and educational activities to GPs and local primary care services within their Division (local area); for example, diabetes nurse educators. Find out which Division your practice belongs to and join. (GP Registrar membership is free in some regions.)
FRACGP – Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
DHAS – Doctors Health Advisory Service
GPR – General Practice Registrar; GP Registrar
DoHA – Department of Health and Ageing The Commonwealth Government Department responsible for health and ageing.
GPRA – General Practice Registrars Australia Ltd A Board of eight directors and an Advisory Council made up of RLOs from every RTP. Represents GP Registrar issues to AGPT, RACGP, DoHA and many other bodies involved in training. Membership is currently free.
DVA – Department of Veterans Affairs EBM – Evidence-based medicine
AMH – Australian Medicines Handbook
ECT – External Clinical Teacher
AMSA – Australian Medical Students Association
FACRRM – Fellow of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine
ARSP – Advanced Rural Skills Post CMO – Career Medical Officer
FARGP – Fellowship in Advanced Rural General Practice
GPET – General Practice Education and Training Limited Government limited company which funds and contracts with RTPs.
GPRIP – General Practice Rural Incentives Program GPSA – General Practice Supervisors Association HIC – Health Insurance Commission Now known as Medicare Australia. HMO – Hospital Medical Officer
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About General Practice Training
HWA – Health Workforce Australia IMG – International medical graduate Also known as OTDs (overseas trained doctors). GP Registrars who are IMGs/OTDs may be subject to the 10 Year Moratorium.
About General Practice Training
various medications. Lots of resources and case studies for GP Registrars can be found at www.nps.org.au NRHSN – National Rural Health Students Network
JAC – Joint Advisory Committee
OSCE – Objective Structured Clinical Examination A component of the RACGP Fellowship exam.
JCC – Joint Consultative Committee
OTC – Over the counter
KFP – Key Feature Problems A component of the RACGP Fellowship exam.
OTD – Overseas trained doctor – see IMG Also known as IMGs (international medical graduates). May be subject to the 10 Year Moratorium.
MBS – Medicare Benefits Schedule ME and TA – Medical Educators and Training Advisors One of these people will give advice and guidance about your training.
PBS – Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme/ Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule
MCQs – Multiple choice questions (a component of the RACGP Fellowship exam)
PGPPP – Prevocational General Practice Placement Program
NGPSA – National GP Supervisors Association Not to be confused with the SLON (Supervisor Liaison Officer Network), although they are essentially same people. NGSPA is the GPRA equivalent for Supervisors. They undertake an advocacy role for Supervisors, particularly in terms and conditions negotiations. NPS – National Prescribing Service A Commonwealth Government-funded organisation that provides independent information on the prescription and use of
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PIP – Practice Incentives Program
QA and CPD – Quality Assurance and Continuing Professional Development RACGP – Royal Australian College of General Practitioners One of two General Practice colleges. Has a Fellowship process for vocational recognition. RACGP also offers a Fellowship in Advanced Rural General Practice (FARGP). RACGP Library RACGP members can access the full suite of services provided by the RACGP John Murtagh
Library. Non-members can access some services for a fee. Visit www.racgp.org.au/library RACGP State Censor A Fellow of the RACGP in each State. Checks that the GP Registrar has completed training requirements for the awarding of Fellowship of the RACGP. RDAA – Rural Doctors Association Australia Has State branches. Represents rural doctor issues to government and other organisations. RDL – Registrar-directed learning RFDS – Royal Flying Doctors Service RHWA – Rural Health Workforce Australia RRIPS – Registrars Rural Incentive Payments Scheme To be replaced by the General Practice Rural Incentives Program (GPRIP) from 1 July 2010. RLO – GP Registrar Liaison Officer Employed by an RTP to represent and advocate for GP Registrars. RMO – Resident Medical Officer RPBS – Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme/Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule RROC – Registrar Representative on Council RRADO – Registrar Research and Development Officer
RSRF – Registrar Scholarship and Research Fund RTP – Regional Training Provider RTPs tender for contracts from GPET to provide regionalised GP training. SBO – State-Based (Divisional) Organisation A State-funded organisation, not always directly linked to ADGP or individual Divisions. Provides some educational activities that GP Registrars can attend. SIP – Service Incentive Payment SLO – GP Supervisor Liaison Officer Employed by an RTP to represent and advocate for GP Supervisors. TA – Training Advisor TGA – Therapeutic Goods Administration TMO – Trainee Medical Officer UGPA – United General Practice Australia VMO – Visiting Medical Officer VR – Vocational registration; vocational recognition WONCA – World Organisation of National Colleges, Academies and Academic Associations of General Practitioners/Family Physicians
Contributed by Dr Siew-Lee Thoo, Dr Naomi Harris and Dr Kate Kelso
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GENERAL PRACTICE
EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES
Explore the possibilities offered by a career in General Practice. • Diverse workload • Management of complex issues • Independence whilst still being involved in a team
• Continuity of care • Participation in community • Extensive Clinical Exposure
The Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program is delivered in Victoria by five Regional Training Providers, committed to providing high quality programs, a strong level of support and training of doctors in challenging medicine. Experienced medical educators and GP supervisors mentor and support doctors in the program. The three-year flexible training program offers an excellent grounding for a career in General Practice in both urban and rural settings. To find out more about the training program in Victoria, contact any of the training providers.
Bogong Regional Training Network www.bogong.org.au
Gippsland Education & Training for General Practice Ltd (get GP) www.getgp.net.au
Greater Green Triangle GP Education & Training www.ggtgpet.com.au
VMA General Practice Training www.vma.com.au
Victoria Felix Medical Education www.vicfelix.com.au
For general information contact: Pauline Ingham, VicNet Marketing & Research Officer RWAV Phone: 03 9349 7825
About General Practice Training
About General Practice Training
1o hot questions on the 1O year moratorium
Are you a doctor from overseas? Then there will be restrictions on where you can practise. Doctors from overseas are being welcomed to help fill Australia’s GP gap. But to ensure Australia’s migrant doctors practise in the geographic regions of greatest need, the Commonwealth Government has a policy of only issuing these doctors with a Medicare provider number if they work in certain areas. This means that GP Registrars who have migrated to Australia usually do their vocational training in the Rural Pathway. Generally, the geographic limitation on provider numbers lasts for 10 years, which is why the scheme is known as the 10 Year Moratorium. It applies to international medical graduates (IMGs) and Australian medical graduates who were Australian temporary residents when 32
they commenced their primary medical degree. IMGs are also known as OTDs (overseas trained doctors).
These frequently asked questions may be helpful.
1
What is the 10 Year Moratorium?
Under section 19AB of the Health Insurance Act, medical practitioners subject to the moratorium are not able to attract Medicare benefits unless they practise in areas designated by the government for a period of 10 years from the time they become registered as a medical practitioner in Australia. It is expected that by the end of the 10 Year Moratorium, the doctor will have obtained permanent residency or Australian citizenship.
2
Who is under the 10 Year Moratorium?
Overseas trained doctors who did not obtain their primary qualification in Australia (excluding New Zealand-trained doctors*). Overseas doctors trained in Australia (that is, any doctor who began studying in Australia under a temporary visa and subsequently obtained their primary qualification from an Australian university). It does not apply to doctors who: Registered with a State or Territory Medical Board before 1 January 1997. Made an application to the Australian Medical Council (AMC) which was received and was eligible before 1 January 1997.
3
Can I apply for an exemption?
Yes. An exemption to these requirements can be granted and conditions can be imposed on any exemption provided. GPRA recommends that any current or future Registrar applying for exemptions discuss this with their RTP. Exemptions may have implications for placements and rural incentive payments.
4
If I am under the 10 Year Moratorium, can I undertake GP training with the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program? Yes. First, you must have medical registration. In other words, you must have passed the AMC clinical exam and have undertaken the mandatory 12 months supervised training with
an accredited teaching hospital or have your degree recognised for the purposes of registration.
Commonwealth Government). Visit www.doctorconnect.gov.au for more information.
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7
Which training pathway in the AGPT program can I do? Currently, AGPT will only allow those subject to the moratorium to enrol in the Rural Pathway. AGPT will not accept an application for the General Pathway unless you provide documentation proving you have been granted an exemption.
6
Where can I work when I have completed my training? On completion of training, you must serve the remainder of your moratorium time working in an Unmet Area of Need (defined by each State or Territory) and/or Districts of Workforce Shortage (defined by
Can I work in a region other than RRMAs 3-7 (RA2-5**) during my training? Public hospital-based placements do count towards your moratorium time, so it is possible to do an Extended Skills placement outside RRMAs 3-7 (RA2-5**) areas. Contact your RTP for further advice about this. It would need to be recognised by your RTP, the AGPT and the Department of Health and Ageing.
8
When does the 10 year period start?
The period starts from the date you register as a medical practitioner in Australia, provided you become a permanent 33
About General Practice Training
3 Regional resident or citizen before the end of your moratorium. (This is a new ruling and is dependent on the completion of proposed new Government legislation.)
9
What about New Zealand graduates?
From April next year, New Zealand permanent resident and citizen doctors who have obtained their primary medical education at an accredited medical school in Australia or New Zealand will not be classified as an “overseas trained doctor” or “former overseas medical student”. Therefore the 10 Year Moratorium will not apply. (This is a new ruling and is dependent on the completion of proposed new Government legislation.)
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10
How can I find out more?
See the Do It Now panel.
Contributed by Dr Jennifer Mooi * This is a new ruling and is dependent on the completion of proposed new Government legislation. Visit www.agpt.com.au for updated information. Note, with the successful completion of new legislation there may be additional changes that will benefit people under the 10 Year Moratorium. ** From July 2010 the existing Rural, Remote and Metropolitan Areas (RRMA) system will be replaced by the Australian Standard Geographical Classification – Remoteness Areas (ASGC-RA) system.
DO IT NOW Talk to your RTP, visit www.agpt.com.au for more information or phone the AGPT selection team about your individual situation on (02) 6263 6776. Doctors requiring detailed information about their individual circumstances can also contact the Department of Health and Ageing’s Workforce Regulation Section by email at 19AB@health.gov.au
T RAINING PROVIDERS Star t mapping your career here. There are numerous Regional Training Providers throughout Australia, each with training options that respond to the needs of their local communities.
Regional Training Providers
Regional Training Providers ACT/NSW
Regional Training Providers in Australia T
here are numerous Regional Training Providers (RTPs) across Australia, so countless training adventures await you. The sweeping diversity of Australia’s geography and people gives rise to a localised vocational training model that responds to clinical challenges
CCCT
specific to each region. It also opens the way for GP Registrars to tailor their training to suit their particular interests and passions – and see Australia along the way. Check the RTP profiles on the following pages, or visit all RTPs from one convenient source at www.agpt.com.au
Northern Territory GP Education
WAGPET Adelaide to Outback GP Training
Tropical Medical Training
Queensland Rural Medical Education PLUS Central & Southern Qld Training Consortium
Central & Southern Qld Training Consortium North Coast GP Training
GP Training Valley to Coast GP Synergy Sturt Fleurieu GP Education & Training Greater Green Triangle GP Education & Training Greater Western GP Training Victorian Metropolitan Alliance
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CoastCityCountry Training
WentWest CoastCityCountry Training Bogong
getGP
GP Training Tasmania
Our diverse region provides an exceptional mix of rural, alpine, coastal, regional and urban training opportunities. Our regional centres provide the benefits of city living without the traffic while our rural centres provide exciting opportunities to experience practice-based and hospital medicine.
Location
Geography and lifestyle
CoastCityCountry Training (CCCT) is the largest Rural and Regional Training Provider in NSW, delivering training to South East NSW and the ACT. This area encompasses the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla, Sapphire Coast, Southern Highlands, Southern Tablelands, NSW Snowfields, Riverina, Murrumbidgee and all of the ACT.
The CCCT region boasts some diverse landscapes from the Illawarra which fringes on Southern Sydney to the picturesque Southern Highlands. Continuing down the spectacular southern coast of NSW to Milton/Ulladulla, Batemans Bay and onto Bega, the region crosses the Snowy Mountains and the Southern Tablelands. It continues westwards across the Riverina high country to the regional centre of Wagga Wagga, the wineries of Griffith and the outback of Hay and Hillston.
Pathways available with CCCT General and Rural Pathways. RACGP and ACRRM Fellowship endpoints.
Training opportunities with CCCT As well as providing quality General Practice placements, our urban and large regional centres offer additional training opportunities in Aboriginal Health, Travel Medicine, Refugee and Prison Health. Regional centres support advanced training with procedural terms available in Surgery, Obstetrics, Anaesthetics, Emergency Medicine and Expedition Medicine in the ski fields as well as Mental Health. Most of our rural practices provide VMO rights at the local hospital.
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ACT/NSW Regional Training Providers
Regional Training Providers NSW
General Practice Training Valley to Coast GPTVTC Current RLOs Illawarra/Shoalhaven/ Southern Highlands
eight hospitals including John Hunter Hospital – a major tertiary training hospital. Hospital training in our region offers plenty of hands-on experience in a friendly and supportive environment.
Dr Jemima Grant kayja.purr@gmail.com Dr Jacqui Noble jnoble@med.usyd.edu.au
ACT/South East NSW Academic research and teaching posts are also available through affiliations with the medical faculties of the University of NSW, Australian National University and the University of Wollongong, which can be undertaken in urban and rural/regional settings.
Points to consider CCCT offers Rural Terms in each of our Local Training Groups but Registrars may have to relocate for the duration of the term. While CCCT does offer rural placements in close proximity to Canberra and Sydney, the popularity of these positions means that some Registrars may not attain their first preference.
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The Registrar experience CCCT understands that each Registrar has their own unique set of circumstances and these will be taken into account during the application process. We appreciate the difficulties of juggling parenthood and educational requirements and we offer accommodation and babysitting options at educational events. CCCT provides financial support to all Registrars to assist with training costs. CCCT annually runs an optional fully funded self-care retreat for Registrars, providing a space to reflect and tend to your own wellbeing. CCCT Registrars can choose their own practice placements.
Dr Rashmi Pandey rpandey12000@yahoo.com
Riverina/Murrumbidgee Dr Naoshaba Shafi naoshaba@hotmail.com
Contact Illawarra/Shoalhaven/ SouthernHighlands Dr Saroja Gunasekera (02) 4229 8675
ACT/South East NSW Dr Katrina Anderson (02) 6244 4955
Riverina/Murrumbidgee Fran Trench (02) 6923 5405 Address: 1/185 Morgan Street, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 Telephone: (02) 6923 5400 Fax: (02) 6923 5430 Email: enquiries@ccctraining.org Website: www.ccctraining.org
Location General Practice Training Valley to Coast takes in the Hunter, Manning and Central Coast regions of NSW.
Pathways available with Valley to Coast General and Rural Pathways. RACGP and ACRRM Fellowship endpoints.
Geography and lifestyle From great surfing beaches, extensive national parks and world-renowned vineyards to the cultural and social attractions of Newcastle and Gosford, the region offers a range of choices to suit your lifestyle and professional needs.
Sydney is still close enough to be able to make the trip easily, but you will rarely want to go.
Training opportunities with Valley to Coast Training is practical, relevant, hands-on, challenging and well supported. Valley to Coast runs workshops for Registrars at all stages of their training – hospital time, GP Terms and exam preparation. Our region is small enough to allow all Registrars to attend workshops together, encouraging peer support and networking. There is a huge range of Hospital Terms across two Area Health Services and
For GP Terms, we have an extensive network of quality GP teaching practices from urban practices around Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Central Coast to small rural towns with GP-run hospitals. All our Supervisors are supportive and keen to teach. Special interest options are also extensive – for a comprehensive list, please visit our website. Our region also offers Advanced Training Posts in Anaesthetics, Emergency Medicine, Obstetrics and Mental Health.
Points to consider Valley to Coast is ideally situated two hours north of Sydney. With both urban and rural practices, you can undertake all your GP Terms within the one region. This is attractive to many Registrars and makes our training positions very popular. 39
The Registrar experience Valley to Coast is a very supportive training provider. Highlights of the calendar include at least two fully funded dinners with partners each year. One popular resource is a library of medical textbooks for the Registrar room at each practice.
“
Current RLOs
I wanted to work hard in my job but be able to sleep in my own bed, not overnight at the hospital or do on-call or 80 hour weeks.
�
Dr Shannon Barry
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Dr Hilary Brown rlo@gptvtc.com.au or hilary.brown@gptvtc.com.au Dr Tammy Kimpton rlo@gptvtc.com.au or tammy.kimpton@gptvtc.com.au
Contact Julie Rundle gptraining@gptvtc.com.au Address: Newbolds Building, Cnr Gavey and Frith Streets, Mayfield NSW 2304 Postal address: PO Box 363, Mayfield NSW 2304 Telephone: (02) 4968 6753 Fax: (02) 4968 6751 Email: gptraining@gptvtc.com.au Website: www.gptvtc.com.au
NSW Regional Training Providers
Regional Training Providers NSW
GP Synergy
patients and clinical challenges and are able to acquire and develop a broad set of skills supported by experienced and dedicated GP Supervisors.
Training opportunities with GP Synergy
Location
Geography and lifestyle
On 1 January 2010, the training programs of GP Synergy (formerly SIGPET and NEATS) and the Institute of General Practice Education (IGPE) merged. Our training region extends across metropolitan and South/South West Sydney and the New England/North West region of NSW (including towns such as Armidale, Tamworth and Moree).
GP Synergy is one of Australia’s largest training providers. Our regions are as diverse as they are vast. The New England and Nor th West region offers Registrars the full range of rural practice experience from practising in large regional centres to small country towns. The Sydney metropolitan and South/ South West region contains a rich mix of practices each with their own unique patient profiles and clinical expertise.
Pathways available with GP Synergy General and Rural Pathways. RACGP and ACRRM Fellowship endpoints.
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Because of this breadth, our Registrars benefit from exposure to a diverse range of
Registrars benefit from a rigorously developed and evaluated education program together with access to a comprehensive exam preparation series to help Registrars reach their Fellowship goals. GP Synergy has close ties with local hospitals, universities and Divisions of General Practice and offers an extensive range of training posts where Registrars can pursue their special interests. Special interests include but are not limited to Paediatrics, Sexual Health, Dermatology, Aboriginal Health, Antenatal Shared Care, Anaesthetics, Gynaecology, Mental Health, Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Academic Research and Medical Education.
Points to consider
Current RLOs
GP Synergy has a Registrarcentric view. Registrars’ best interests and learning needs are at the forefront of GP Synergy policy and Registrars are actively engaged in the decisionmaking process.
Dr Wicky Wong rlo@gpsynergy.com.au
GP Synergy has a dedicated Registrar Support and Intake Officer to support all Registrars, particularly during rural training, as well as two Registrar Liaison Officers. A robust incentive scheme exists for Registrars training in rural and outer metropolitan areas.
Dr Marisa Magiros rlowest@gpsynergy.com.au
Contact Kate Froggatt katef@gpsynergy.com.au Address: First Floor, 36-42 Chippen St, Chippendale NSW 2008 Telephone: (02) 9818 4433 Fax: (02) 9818 3311 Email: info@gpsynergy.com.au Website: www.gpsynergy.com.au
The Registrar experience GP Synergy’s highly regarded reputation stems from a commitment to the delivery of quality and relevant General Practice education and inpractice supervision. Providing a supportive, high quality learning environment is a shared value among all GP Synergy Medical Educators, Supervisors and training practices.
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NSW Regional Training Providers
North Coast GP Training NCGPT
rural or regional living, within driving distance of Sydney or Brisbane and the Gold Coast for weekend breaks.
Training opportunities with NCGPT NCGPT is committed to highly customised and personalised teaching with opportunities for Registrars to work in special interest areas.
Location North Coast GP Training (NCGPT) in Northern NSW stretches from Laurieton in the south to the Queensland border in the north and west to the Great Dividing Range.
renowned as a surfing nirvana and for its exuberant identity, performing arts, crafts, colourful weekly markets, fresh produce and leisure activities.
Geography and lifestyle
The North Coast is the State’s fastest growing region and a drawcard for travellers from Australia and overseas. It is serviced by airports at Port Macquarie, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Ballina and Lismore, with international airports at Coolangatta and Brisbane.
The North Coast region has a stunning hinterland with farmland, rainforests, waterfalls and mountain valleys. The coast is lined with clean, white stretches of beach. The region is
People move to this region for a more relaxed way of life. Living and working on the North Coast allows you to experience all the benefits of
Pathways available with NCGPT General and Rural Pathways. RACGP and ACRRM Fellowship endpoints.
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We also support full-time or part-time training. NCGPT is very focused on the needs of individual Registrars and their families who may require flexible arrangements to support their learning and wellbeing. Training opportunities include: Advanced rural skills and procedural training in a variety of different disciplines including Mental Health, Emergency Medicine, Anaesthetics and Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Indigenous Health training in multiple locations across the North Coast. Training practices that have special areas of interest including Adolescent Health, Sports Medicine, Women’s
NSW Regional Training Providers
Regional Training Providers NSW
WentWest
Health, Integrative Medicine, Sexual Health, Paediatrics and Infectious Diseases. Comprehensive rural orientation for all Registrars with targeted Emergency training skills for VMO Registrars who are on call and have admitting rights to small hospitals. Academic and Research Posts that are supported through close relationships with the Northern Rivers University Department of Rural Health and the University of NSW School of Rural Health. Access to clinical training grants to participate in courses such as Trauma, Advanced Paediatric and Obstetric Life Support, Emergency, PreHospital Life Support, Sexual Health and Family Planning. Access to NCGPT’s awardwinning medical education. Our highly skilled Medical Educators are renowned for their broad range of clinical experience, expertise in individual and small group work and national leadership in the area of doctors’ wellbeing and medical humanities.
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Points to consider We employ a full-time Registrar Support Officer who is dedicated to assisting our Registrars with the move into General Practice and with family and accommodation support as well as any special needs. NCGPT and our Registrars have won a number of awards including GPET/Medical Observer GP Registrar of the Year, RACGP National Rural Faculty Rural Registrar of the Year 2009, Regional Training Provider Innovation Award 2006, Regional Training Provider of the Year Award 2004, GP Training Curriculum Innovation Award 2004 and Staff Excellence Award 2004.
The Registrar experience NCGPT holds regular regional educational and social events for Registrars. All teaching is face to face in three training nodes – Ballina, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie. This fosters the development of friendships, a network of contacts, mentors and teamwork. The training is delivered by experienced
Medical Educators and GP Supervisors and the medical education team continuously evaluates and improves the program to ensure Registrars’ learning needs are met. Please contact us for an information kit that explains more about North Coast GP Training. In the meantime check out our website at www.ncgpt. org.au and hear what our Registrars have to say about their NCGPT experience.
Current RLOs Dr Katherine Dent katdent10@hotmail.com Dr George Forgan-Smith gefsmith@mac.com Dr Kirsten Patterson kruffles@hotmail.com
Contact Sue Gramza sueg@ncgpt.org.au Postal address: PO Box 1497, Ballina NSW 2478 Telephone: (02) 6681 5711 Fax: (02) 6681 5722 Email: sueg@ncgpt.org.au Website: www.ncgpt.org.au
Training opportunities with WentWest
Location WentWest covers the Western Sydney region. It extends from Carlingford in the east to Mount Victoria in the west and from Merrylands in the south up to Wisemans Ferry and Colo Heights in the north. This region also includes a large outer metropolitan area which extends from the north around to the west and into the Blue Mountains.
Pathways available with WentWest General Pathway only. RACGP Fellowship endpoint.
Geography and lifestyle Geographically, the region includes many contrasts from the urbanised plains of the Sydney Basin to the scenic river gorges, hills and bushland of the Blue Mountains. The area is also one of great demographic, cultural and socio-economic diversity that offers worldclass shopping facilities and restaurants and a wide range of recreational activities and venues.
WentWest offers GP Registrars a wealth of training resources including: Cooperative, regionalised educational programs for all levels of training. A high population to doctor ratio, ensuring diverse clinical experience and patient exposure while working in training practices. Opportunities to become involved in research and innovation. Additional resources and training opportunities available as a provider of Division of General Practice services. The WentWest program has been developed locally to take advantage of diverse, high quality resources. This includes working with leading teaching hospitals such as Westmead, Blacktown, Nepean and Auburn Hospitals. Registrars can also undertake an Academic Term at the University of Sydney’s
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NSW Regional Training Providers
Department of General Practice, Sydney Medical School – Western with Professor Tim Usherwood. Optional Extended Skills Posts are available in areas such as Aboriginal Health, Paediatrics and Palliative Care.
Points to consider With over 70% of our practices in outer metropolitan areas, Registrars are able to satisfy their training pathway obligations by remaining in the WentWest area for the entire duration of training.
The Registrar experience The WentWest office in Parramatta offers a variety of educational resources such as textbooks, journals and DVDs that Registrars can use. WentWest is also a provider 48
of Division of General Practice services so Registrars have access to a wide range of quality assurance and continuing professional development events, which broadens knowledge and skills as well as networking opportunities with experienced GPs and allied health professionals. Registrars in GPT3 are able to select a practice that suits their interests and preferred style of practice, enabling them to work in practices they may consider as a permanent option once they have attained the FRACGP.
Current RLO Dr Nicole Leotta rlo@wentwest.com.au
Contact Georgina van de Water georgina.vandewater@ wentwest.com.au Address: Level 3, 20-24 Wentworth Street, Parramatta NSW 2150 Telephone: (02) 8833 8000 Fax: (02) 9687 9277 Email: wentwest@wentwest.com.au Website: www.wentwest.com.au
NSW/VIC Regional Training Providers
Bogong Regional Training Network BOGONG
Training opportunities with Bogong Bogong offers Registrars a variety of individualised, flexible training programs, with the option of full-time or part-time attendance.
Location Bogong Regional Training Network (Bogong) incorporates the Goulburn Valley, North East Victoria and the Albury-Wodonga region.
Pathways available with Bogong General and Rural Pathways. RACGP and ACRRM Fellowship endpoints.
Geography and lifestyle Ski over the Alps in winter and enjoy a breathtaking array of adventure activities and water sports along the Murray River, lakes and cycling trails all year round.
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Visit Victoria's premier wine growing areas, including the famous Rutherglen vineyards, Milawa gourmet region and the distinctive cool climate wines of the alpine valleys. The Bogong region is familyfriendly, with good schools, universities and TAFE colleges. Larger regional centres offer quality shopping, dining, cultural and professional services. Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra are easily accessible by air, road and rail links.
Registrars can attain FRACGP, FACRRM and FARGP qualifications and extend training in areas of special interest, including Advanced Rural Skills and Extended Skills Posts in Obstetrics, Anaesthetics, Emergency Medicine, Mental Health, Small Town General Practice, Alpine Sports Medicine, Aboriginal Health, Endoscopy, Refugee Health, Remote Medicine and Academic Posts.
Points to consider Registrars can complete their whole GP training, including Hospital Terms and advanced training within the Bogong region. The area is well served by major regional hospitals, small rural health services and an excellent cohort of committed and experienced GP Supervisors. ď ľ
Regional Training Providers NSW/VIC
Greater Western GP Training As part of the Rural Pathway training in General Practice, GP Registrars can spend up to 12 months in a large regional centre such as Albury-Wodonga or Shepparton.
“
Children are a delight to see in General Practice. They are entertaining, surprising and interesting patients.
”
Dr Rebecca Roach
Bogong has a comprehensive practice matching process. Placements are based on interviews, the preferences of each Registrar and the prospective practice.
The Registrar experience Bogong GP Registrars train as a peer group and attend education release sessions throughout training. These workshops are held at beautiful places across the Bogong region. Bogong regularly organises a family-friendly sponsored social event afterwards.
Current RLOs Dr Andrew Pennington apennington@bogong.org.au Dr Fleur Christophersen fchristophersen@bogong.org.au
Contact Jo Hamilton jhamilton@bogong.org.au Address: 115 Hume Street, Wodonga VIC 3690 Postal address: PO Box 165, Wodonga VIC 3689 Telephone: (02) 6057 8600 Fax: (02) 6024 7817 Email: bogong@bogong.org.au Website: www.bogong.org.au
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and Gynaecology, Emergency Medicine, Aboriginal Health, Anaesthetics, Mental Health, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Palliative Care and experience with the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Location Greater Western GP Training now includes the regions of GPlogic and Victoria Felix Medical Education following the merger of these two providers in January 2010. The merged company will have finalised a new trading name by March 2010. Starting in Victoria, the region extends from the northwestern fringes of Melbourne along the Western Highway to the border with South Australia. The Hume Highway forms the eastern boundary, and northern limits include Echuca and Mildura. In NSW the region extends from Bourke and Walgett in the north to Balranald in the south and from
Lithgow in the east to Broken Hill in the west. It is a large geographical region offering a broad range of clinical and lifestyle experiences.
Pathways available with Greater Western GP Training General and Rural Pathways. RACGP and ACRRM Fellowship endpoints.
Training opportunities with Greater Western GP Training You can train towards the FRACGP, FACCRM and FARGP. Greater Western GP Training offers Advanced Rural Skills Posts (ARSPs) in Obstetrics
The smaller communities offer organised primary health care in a less resource supported environment, which in combination with good supervision can lead to an enriching learning experience not only in rural medicine but rural culture. General Hospital and Advanced Rural Skills Post years can be done at Bendigo, Ballarat, Mildura, Orange, Bathurst, Dubbo and Broken Hill Base Hospitals.
Points to consider There is a requirement to do a six-month term in the outer divisions of the region due to a high demand (and therefore limited places) closer to major centres. Due to the large area of the region, Registrars will not be permitted to commute for more than two hours 53
NSW/VIC Regional Training Providers
Regional Training Providers V IC
Gippsland Education and Training for General Practice getGP
Contact
Training opportunities with getGP
NSW Office Lynette Safranek lsafranek@gplogic.com.au
getGP offers the flexibility to tailor individual training programs to meet the specific learning needs and interests of each Registrar.
Dr Lisa Saint Registrar Support Officer lsaint@gplogic.com.au a day between locations. This effectively means that Registrars cannot commute from either Melbourne or Sydney to practice locations within the region. There are generous travel, reimbursement and rental subsidies available to those who relocate.
The Registrar experience Practices are matched with GP Registrars according to the preferences of both parties. Training practices are located in provincial cities, rural and remote towns, many with VMO admitting rights at regional hospitals. Exam preparation programs are offered free of charge to Registrars to assist with preparation for the RACGP exam. Teleconference facilities are available to Registrars for study groups. 54
Residential peer learning workshops are a highlight of the program, rotating throughout the region with maximum flexibility for Registrars to move across the RTP’s regions. Registrars receive financial support for relocation, telecommunications, travel for attending workshops, and contributions towards reimbursements for other training courses.
Current RLOs Dr Sophia Samuel sophia.samuel@yahoo.com.au Dr Benj Tarsh bht123@iinet.net.au
Address: “Mirridong”, 90 Bentick Street, Bathhurst NSW 2795 Telephone: (02) 6334 4359 Fax: (02) 6334 4088 Email: info@gplogic.com.au Website: www.gplogic.com.au VIC Office Megan McNair Education Coordinator mmcnair@vicfelix.com.au Postal address: PO Box 3064, Bendigo Delivery Centre VIC 3554 Telephone: (03) 5441 9300 Fax: (03) 5441 9399 Email: info@vicfelix.com.au Website: www.vicfelix.com.au
Location Gippsland Education and Training for General Practice (getGP) covers the region east of Melbourne through to the NSW border and south of the Great Dividing Range down to the coast. From 2011, getGP will also deliver General Pathway training into the Mornington Peninsula, a popular location on the doorstep of Melbourne, immediately southeast of the city.
Pathways available with getGP General and Rural Pathways. RACGP and ACRRM Fellowship endpoints. The Rural Pathway is undertaken in the
Gippsland region, with the General Pathway available on the Mornington Peninsula. General Pathway Registrars can choose to complete Rural Terms within getGP.
Geography and lifestyle The Gippsland region offers a rich diversity of environments including rainforest, Gippsland Lakes, coastal living, snowfields and community-focused towns with a broad range of education and employment options. The Mornington Peninsula is highly regarded for its lifestyle and proximity to Melbourne.
There is a diverse range of training placements, from Hospital Terms in larger regional centres to office-based General Practice in more rural and remote locations. The addition of the Mornington Peninsula from 2011 adds further to this diversity. There are a growing number of training positions for the attainment of additional skills including Anaesthetics, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Small Town General Practice, Community Psychiatry, Emergency Medicine, Palliative Care, Aboriginal Health and Academic Medicine through the Monash University School for Rural Health and the Gippsland Medical School. Many smaller town placements include VMO opportunities in associated hospitals or 55
V IC Regional Training Providers
Regional Training Providers V IC
Victorian Metropolitan Alliance General Practice Training VMA
sessional work in Aboriginal Medical Services. In an exciting innovation, Registrars are able to pursue practice-based Obstetrics and Community Paediatrics. getGP initiated and continues to host a unique overseas exchange program to Ireland for interested Registrars. All training posts are accredited (or in the process of being accredited) with both the RACGP and ACRRM, allowing Registrars to meet the requirements of Fellowship for each college. Generous support is provided for educational opportunities and external courses.
Points to consider Rural Pathway Registrars can choose from a wide range of rural and regional centre placements, including practice placements in East Gippsland where Registrars spend at least one term. The Rural Pathway encourages families to experience the benefits of 56
living in regional Victoria and provides guided introductions to education, employment and social support options. General Pathway placements on the Mornington Peninsula provide options on the metropolitan fringe with a regional focus.
The Registrar experience getGP offers access to a range of resources including GPRime (an online learning planner and communication tool developed by getGP and now used nationally), a comprehensive library and an extensive language and communication skills assessment and training program facilitated by a Communication Skills Advisor. All of getGP’s services are supported by a professional and friendly administration. Other benefits include: A transparent, coordinated Registrar practice matching process based on interviews and preferences. Accommodation for GPT1 and GPT2 Registrars throughout the region and to all
Registrars in East Gippsland. Relocation reimbursements. An education training allowance to attend training events including ELS, EMST and APLS courses. Accommodation to attend mandatory training days where appropriate. Registrars placed in East Gippsland attract a subsidy for travel.
Current RLO Dr Elaine Tho elaine.tho@getgp.net.au
Contact Dr Elaine Tho elaine.tho@getgp.net.au Address: Suite B2, Green Inc. Building, 50 Northways Road, Churchill VIC 3842 Telephone: (03) 5132 3100 Fax: (03) 5132 3133 Email: admin@getgp.net.au Website: www.getgp.net.au
Indigenous Health clinics. There are multiple accredited placements available for Registrars to undertake the DRANZCOG (Obstetrics and Gynaecology Diploma). The VMA also offers substantial subsidies to Registrars who wish to obtain their Diploma of Child Health through Westmead Hospital.
Location Victorian Metropolitan Alliance (VMA) takes in Melbourne, Greater Melbourne and the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas.
This enables Registrars to experience the breadth of current General Practice.
Training opportunities with VMA
Geography and lifestyle
VMA offers a wide range of GP Terms to suit all needs. Clinical GP placements located in Greater Melbourne, Mornington and Bellarine Peninsulas cover the gamut of General Practice experiences.
As the largest Regional Training Provider in the Australian General Practice Training program, VMA offers a highly innovative and supportive program within one of the most diverse socio-economic geographic regions in Australia.
Many Extended Skills Terms are available including Sexual Health, Family Planning, Academic Registrar Terms, Palliative Care, Addiction Medicine, ENT placements, Forensic Medicine and
Pathways available with VMA General and Rural Pathways. RACGP Fellowship endpoints.
Education and training outside of practices is delivered at our office in Hawthorn. Fortnightly and monthly seminars are held for GPT1 and GPT2 Registrars respectively. GPT 3 and 4 Registrars attend one professional development day per term. In addition, all Registrars are required to attend two weekend workshop days.
Points to consider With 105 practices, 19 Divisions of General Practice and many other organisations, training in the VMA offers substantial networking opportunities and professional support. Other innovative features of the VMA experience include 57
V IC Regional Training Providers
Regional Training Providers V IC/SA
Greater Green Triangle GGT
accepting 10-week rotations from Geelong, Mt Gambier and Royal Adelaide Hospitals. This is an ideal opportunity for PGY1 and 2 junior doctors to experience life as a GP while tasting the delights of the region.
the opportunity to participate in the Pilot Registrar Retention Project where Registrars have the opportunity to undertake their entire training program within a small geographic area. Registrars with an academic penchant are well catered for with our educational partners Melbourne and Monash Universities. Several other program initiatives, including the recent introduction of the Obstetrics Pilot, are also available. The General Pathway now offers even more flexibility for Registrars. In 2009 the Commonwealth Government announced changes for the return of service obligations for Registrars. From 2010 onwards General Pathway Registrars can complete 12 58
months of their return of service obligation in outer metropolitan locations, rural locations or a combination of the two.
The Registrar experience Registrars are well looked after at VMA with a high quality, engaging program and the opportunity to select placements based upon personal choice. Other benefits include sponsored conferences and social gatherings, professional development allowances, sponsored Advanced Life Support and CPR courses, subsidised internet, a comprehensive library with paper, video and electronic resources and outstanding medical education and administrative support.
Current RLOs Dr Jason Pak jason_pak@lycos.com Dr Paul Shortis shortis@yahoo.com Dr Ed Vergara ed.vergara@yahoo.com.au Dr Anne Kleinitz anne.kleinitz@hotmail.com
Contact Sharon Butler sharon.butler@vma.com.au Address: 15 Cato Street, Hawthorn VIC 3122 Telephone: (03) 9822 1100 Mobile: 0438 027 028 Fax: (03) 9822 9011 Email: sharon.butler@vma.com.au Website: www.vma.com.au
Location Greater Green Triangle (GGT) extends from the Coonawarra Wine District in South Australia along the Great Ocean Road to the Surf Coast near Geelong in Victoria.
Pathways available with GGT Rural Pathway only. RACGP and ACRRM Fellowship endpoints.
Geography and lifestyle The GGT region is very diverse with many exciting places to visit, ranging from the renowned Coonawarra Wine District and Limestone Coast national parks in the lower south-east of South
Australia to the world-famous Twelve Apostles, Shipwreck Coast and natural beauty of the Grampians. Adelaide and Melbourne are easily accessible. In the first year of training your accommodation is generously subsidised. Registrars enjoy broadband internet at work and home, one of the many initiatives to ensure that time spent in the region is satisfying.
Training opportunities with GGT Are you interested in looking into General Practice without committing to a training program? If so, consider the PGPPP. GGT has five practices
Training opportunities include: Unique training individually tailored to suit your interests and needs. Residential workshops in beautiful settings. Workshop sizes are small, friendly and informal, allowing you to socialise and catch up with friends who are at the same stage of training – all supplied for free! There is a range of practices of different sizes, both regional and rural, offering RACGP and ACRRM Fellowships. Choose the practice to suit your needs – just ask and we will see what we can do.
Points to consider Registrars will need to relocate, although some commute back to Melbourne or Adelaide to family or locum work. GGT is flexible when dealing with your circumstances. 59
Regional Training Providers SA
Adelaide to Outback GP Training Program AOGP The Registrar experience Registrars who train with GGT have a high pass rate. Coupled with its unbeatable coastline, green pastures, world-class wineries and the Grampians mountain range, GGT is a wonderful place to train, live and explore.
Current RLO
“
Working with other Aboriginal people as an Aboriginal doctor makes a huge difference to the way patients relate to me.
”
Dr Aleeta Fejo
60
Care, Royal Flying Doctor Service, Community Health, Prison Service, Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol Services, Aviation Medicine, Transcultural Health, Addiction Treatment Services in Dublin, Ireland, and rural locum services.
Dr Josh Bye joshbye@aapt.net.au
Contact Brian Trotter btrotter@ggtgpet.com.au Address: 49 Kepler Street, Warrnambool VIC 3280 Telephone: (03) 5562 0051 Fax: (03) 5560 5581 Email: lcook@ggtgpet.com.au Website: www.ggtgpet.com.au
There is also flexibility in the program for alternative placements in areas of interest to be arranged within the training framework.
Location
Geography and lifestyle
Adelaide to Outback (AOGP) covers a large part of metropolitan Adelaide as well as rural areas. The rural component follows Highway 1 north and includes Yorke Peninsula, Mid North, Flinders and Far North, Eyre Peninsula and Kangaroo Island. AOGP shares the Adelaide Hills region as well as part of the Murray Mallee with Sturt Fleurieu General Practice Education and Training.
The AOGP region has a Mediterranean climate with affordable housing, sporting and cultural events, and excellent food and wine. The areas are diverse, ranging from small town rural locations to large regional centres and commutable distances. Beaches, riesling trails, and seafood and cultural experiences are available centrally and in rural locations.
Pathways available with AOGP
Training opportunities with AOGP
AOGP covers a vast area of South Australia and most rural placements require relocation. However, many Registrars undertaking a Rural Term find themselves within a two-hour drive of the capital city unless they have requested rotations further afield.
General and Rural Pathways. RACGP and ACRRM Fellowship endpoints.
AOGP offers Extended Skills Posts in Academic General Practice, Aboriginal Health, Disability, Grief and Palliative
All Registrars in community placements are offered the opportunity to be involved
Advanced Rural Skills Posts (ARSPs) are available in Obstetrics, Anaesthetics, Surgery, Paediatrics and small town areas.
Points to consider
61
SA Regional Training Providers
Contact Jane Jones jane.jones@adelaide.edu.au
The Registrar experience AOGP offers a supported learning environment that includes alternate week small group learning and one to three-day education releases. Childcare is available and part-time Registrars are paid to attend the same amount of external teaching as full-time Registrars. An annual education weekend brings together Registrars and Supervisors for two days with tutorials, practical procedures and social events.
62
Self-care remains an important part of the AOGP program, involving on-site group sessions with psychologists, as well as the opportunity for individual, funded, confidential sessions that Registrars can organise for themselves. AOGP offers a component of education and self-directed teaching through online learning and ensures access to adequate information technology.
Current RLOs
. Ps led t G kil lis -s ia lti ec u Sp re M a
in the allocation of practices and selection of areas they would like to work in.
to ou g lf y lin se en b ty w ur wh na ie no yo y ; e ar e y g . it ialt GP y, v uir all din list lim ec a ilit Enq sion war cia s e e hy sp e ib b ex e? fe y r p W e d S c l u on ul t fl oi ro ial P 00 .a co ea ch a p c G 31 om gr d ut an a an bo fin r as 66 k.c a d e 83 ac an re 08 utb ca ct o re to di e ll aid ca del a
Address: Lower Level, 183 Melbourne Street, North Adelaide SA 5006 Telephone: (08) 8366 3100 Fax: (08) 8361 8967 Email: info@adelaidetooutback.com.au Website: www.adelaidetooutback.com.au
Dr Holly Deer (Rural) holly.deer@bigpond.com Dr Michael Sobotta (Urban) msobotta@bigpond.com
Adelaide to Outback GP training program
Customised Personalised Specialised
SA Regional Training Providers
Regional Training Providers SA
Sturt Fleurieu General Practice Education and Training Sturt Fleurieu provides a quality “in-house” educational central and mini-release program for GPT1 and GPT2 or equivalent and actively encourages the development of procedural skills. The region is broken up into five areas, each under the supervision of a dedicated regional Medical Educator.
Location Sturt Fleurieu covers Adelaide’s southern suburbs, the Adelaide Hills and the Barossa Valley. The region also extends into the Murray-Mallee, the Fleurieu Peninsula and the Riverland.
Pathways available with Sturt Fleurieu General and Rural Pathways. RACGP and ACRRM Fellowship endpoints.
Geography and lifestyle From the picturesque villages of the Adelaide Hills to the wine and food culture of the Barossa Valley, from the rolling farmlands of the Riverland and
64
Murray-Mallee to the pristine beaches of the Fleurieu Peninsula, Sturt Fleurieu can enrich the training experience with some unforgettable lifestyle experiences.
Training opportunities with Sturt Fleurieu Sturt Fleurieu provides access to high quality teaching practices from large multidisciplinary clinics to smaller sized practices all within reasonable proximity to Adelaide or significant rural towns. These practices provide a range of challenging and interesting medical issues.
Each year, GPT2 or GPT3 Registrars may undertake 12-week clinical attachments in Diabetes, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Medical Education, Pain and Addiction Medicine, Disability Medicine and Palliative Care, delivered concurrently with GP Terms. Dermatology skills can be honed through the derm-start workshop program. There are opportunities for Advanced Rural Skills training and Academic Research as well as Extended Skills training in areas such as Obstetrics, Aboriginal Health, Palliative Care and Paediatrics.
Points to consider Sturt Fleurieu offers a wide range of opportunities for training in a program that combines innovative teaching and training methods, high standards of practice and a friendly, collegiate atmosphere. GP Supervisors at the various practices are an integral part of the excellent educational delivery to Registrars training with Sturt Fleurieu.
The Registrar experience Accredited Basic and Advanced Life Support Training using high fidelity computer simulation has been pioneered by Sturt Fleurieu. gp-start is a structured learning package that links major clinical topics to key clinical activities and contains up-to-date background readings on the core topics.
gp-advanced introduces Registrars to the RACGP exam, addresses different clinical domains and guides Registrars on how to develop their own questions and answers.There are also facilitated case discussion sessions. pro-start anaesthetics is an optional hands-on learning program that facilitates early exposure to rural anaesthetic practice. Support is provided to attend Emergency, EMST and Radiology courses as well as pre-exam workshops.
Contact Dr Ian McCombe Hospital/PGPPP Coordinator ian.mccombe@sfgpet.com.au Dr Peter Clements Director of Medical Education peter.clements@sfgpet.com.au Address: 18 Alfred Place, Strathalbyn SA 5255 Telephone: (08) 8536 5000 Fax: (08) 8536 8019 Email: sturt.fleurieu@sfgpet.com.au Website: www.sfgpet.com.au
Current RLOs Dr Trinh Tran trat2008@gpmail.com.au Dr Bronwyn Knight knib2010@gpmail.com.au Dr Kassandra Fairhall faik2009@gpmail.com.au 65
QLD Regional Training Providers
Central and Southern Queensland Training Consortium CSQTC
Specific support services for Rural Generalists, parttime, ADF and Academic Post Registrars.
Points to consider
Location CSQTC extends from the Tropic of Capricorn in the north to the Queensland-NSW border in the south, and from the coast to the SA border in the west.
Pathways available with CSQTC General and Rural Pathways. RACGP and ACRRM Fellowship endpoints.
Geography and lifestyle The vast area covered by CSQTC offers Registrars a diverse choice of placements catering for those looking for a tree change or sea change or those who enjoy the busy 66
inner city metropolitan lifestyle.
Training opportunities with CSQTC Training opportunities include: Over 20 hospitals which provide a variety of Hospital, Extended Skills, Academic and Advanced Skills Training Posts. An extensive range of experienced and committed accredited training practices for GP placements in rural, metropolitan and outer metropolitan locations. A Senior Medical Educator (Rural Training) and Rural Support Officer, Rural Node Educators and web/video conferencing resources to facilitate rural training.
CSQTC combines the benefits of a large training provider with a personalised, Registrarfocused training program that is responsive to the changing needs of our Registrars as individuals. We support Registrars in their local areas through: A rollout in 2010/11 of GPePortfolio – an online learning and teaching resource. Educators based in our seven training nodes who provide local support and small group educational sessions using local health professionals and services. Our Hospital Liaison Officer, who advises and supports Registrars in hospital placements, and our Registrar Liaison Officer (RLO) who acts as an advocate for Registrars.
The Registrar experience CSQTC offers an inspiring living and learning environment. Our large number of Registrars provide valuable collaborative
QLD Regional Training Providers
Regional Training Providers QLD
Queensland Rural Medical Education QRME
Rural Scholarship Scheme participants and Queensland Health’s Rural Generalists.
Current RLO Dr Georga Cooke rlo@csqtc.qld.edu.au
Each Registrar is assigned a QRME Medical Educator who is their Training Advisor. In addition, the administrative staff, Medical Director and Registrar Liaison Officer are available to assist and advise.
Contact Julie Ball csqtc@csqtc.qld.edu.au
learning and networking opportunities, combining learning with making new friends and colleagues. A mix of centralised and regionalised education sessions enable Registrars to interact with peers and expert presenters. Registrars have access to a team of very experienced Medical Educators assisted by support services and administration staff.
Registrars benefit from financial assistance towards fees for specific courses as well as relocation and associated costs when undertaking General Practice Terms in rural practices. Our unique placement process gives Registrars autonomy in choosing training practices for GP Terms and encourages practices to select Registrars through a merit selection process.
Office address: 467 Enoggera Road, Alderley QLD 4051 Postal address: PO Box 83, Alderley QLD 4051 Telephone: (07) 3552 8100 Fax: (07) 3552 8108 Email: csqtc@csqtc.qld.edu.au Website: www.csqtc.qld.edu.au
Queensland Rural Medical Education (QRME) covers an area that extends from Rockhampton in Central Queensland to the NSW border and west to the South Australian border but does not include Brisbane.
immerse themselves in delightful rural communities or enjoy the surrounds of regional cities and towns. While the rural lifestyle is more relaxed than in the city, the scope of practice is often broader and more challenging, leading to great learning opportunities.
Pathways available with QRME
Training opportunities with QRME
Location
General and Rural Pathways. RACGP and ACRRM Fellowship endpoints.
Geography and lifestyle QRME provides an exceptional rural experience and the chance to see some amazing countryside. Registrars can 68
QRME offers regional, rural and remote training opportunities in General Practice and regional hospital settings. Many of our Registrars are overseas-trained. However, we also recognise the training needs of Queensland Health
QRME can accommodate a Registrar's special interest through a six or 12-month term. As well as the traditional disciplines like Anaesthetics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Emergency Medicine and Indigenous Health, QRME offers Extended and Advanced Skills in Expedition Medicine, Medical Education and Skin Cancer Medicine as well as Advanced Skills in Population Health.
The Registrar experience QRME’s staff take pride in being attentive and helpful to all Registrars and their families. Our Family Liaison Officer assists many Registrars and their families with transitioning to a new location and any other issues that arise during training. 69
Regional Training Providers QLD
Tropical Medical Training TMT QRME offers three five-day workshops during Registrars' two years in General Practice training. The workshops promote a sense of camaraderie among Registrars, reflecting that found among rural GPs in Queensland. Several small group learning days are also conducted. Registrars may also undertake some online modules.
“
Being able to do an anaesthetic list or undertake deliveries is what continues to make rural General Practice really attractive to me.
”
Dr Rod Martin
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Mackay Gateway to the Whitsundays. Relaxed, tropical lifestyle. Spectacular mountain regions.
QRME can provide financial assistance for equipment and relocation expenses. Importantly, assistance is also provided to tailor training pathways to individual needs such as part-time, hospital-based and special interest training.
Mount Isa Progressive mining city. Lawn Hill Gorge. The Royal Flying Doctor Centre.
Current RLO Dr James Telfer rlo@qrme.org.au
Contact Sheridan Daley s.daley@qrme.org.au Address: 303 Margaret Street, Toowoomba QLD 4350 Postal address: PO Box 2076, Toowoomba QLD 4350 Telephone: (07) 4638 7999 Fax: (07) 4638 7980 Email: info@qrme.org.au Website: www.qrme.org.au
Thursday Island Location Tropical Medical Training (TMT) is North Queensland’s Regional Training Provider for General Practice.
Pathways available with TMT General and Rural Pathways. RACGP and ACRRM Fellowship endpoints.
Geography and lifestyle Covering two-thirds of Queensland, TMT encompasses enormous geographical and economically diverse areas. For those seeking a relaxed lifestyle in a beautiful part of Australia, the opportunities are endless. But be warned, those
who venture north rarely leave. From the Torres Strait Islands to lush tropical rainforests and the magic of the outback, TMT covers it all.
Townsville Australia’s largest tropical city. Major hospital. Beach within easy reach. Historic outback towns.
Cairns One of the most popular tourist destinations. Two World Heritage natural environments – the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and wet tropics ancient rainforests. The Atherton Tablelands.
Administrative heart of the Torres Strait. Diverse mix of cultures. Fishing and aquaculture.
Training opportunities with TMT Training opportunities include: A large number of procedural and practical-based skills training opportunities, enhanced training with Extended Skills Posts and Advanced Rural Skills Posts (ARSPs) in Primary Care, Palliative Care, Oncology, Anaesthetics and Obstetrics. Nine Indigenous Health training opportunities in TMT’s region. If you are seeking further adventure in your medicine, 71
QLD Regional Training Providers
Regional Training Providers WA
Western Australian General Practice Education and Training WAGPET
integrated with a hospital specialty. Generally, participants spend two to three days a week in an accredited General Practice and the remainder of their time in a hospital placement.
Current RLOs Dr Aileen Traves aileen.underhill@gmail.com Dr Alex Kippin kippina@gmail.com
Contact
The Registrar experience Aviation or Expedition Medicine could be what you are looking for in your training. TMT also runs Sexual Heath and Diabetes seminars. TMT is heavily involved in the Prevocational General Practice Placement Program (PGPPP) with positions available in Townsville and Thursday Island.
Medical Educators based in the regions ensure local support. Training workshops are held in different TMT regions each term. TMT is committed to Indigenous Health with a dedicated Indigenous Health Training Support Officer. Special events include an Indigenous Health workshop and the Laura Festival, an indigenous dance event. The annual Rural Retreat is the initiative of past GP Registrars designed for GP Registrars in Rural Posts to come together with the families for a weekend to relax and re-connect.
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Maria-Theresa Lehmann mtlehmann@medicaltraining. com.au (07) 4729 5000 Address: TMT House, 100 Angus Smith Drive, Townsville QLD 4814 Postal address: PO Box 4056, Vincent QLD 4814 Telephone: (07) 4729 5000 Fax: (07) 4729 5015 Email: enquiries@medicaltraining.com.au Website: www.medicaltraining.com.au
Location Western Australian General Practice Education and Training (WAGPET) is the sole GP training provider in Western Australia.
Pathways available with WAGPET General and Rural Pathways. RACGP and ACRRM Fellowship endpoints.
Geography and lifestyle From awe-inspiring landscapes and unique communities in the north to gentle forests and wine regions in the south, from the urban buzz of Perth and Fremantle to pristine beaches, coastal communities and
farming heartlands, Western Australia has something for everyone.
Training opportunities with WAGPET WAGPET offers prevocational programs for doctors in training which provide an opportunity to experience General Practice before deciding to specialise. The Prevocational GP Placement Program (PGPPP) gives junior doctors a dedicated General Practice placement as one of their hospital rotations. The Community Residency Program provides a wellsupervised and supported General Practice placement
Training opportunities include: As a GP Registrar, a wide range of lifestyle and training opportunities can be experienced in urban, rural and remote settings throughout Western Australia. In rural towns, GP Registrars provide care across the hospital and community setting. In the far north-west of the state in the Kimberley region, Registrars also have the opportunity to work in remote Aboriginal Community Controlled Clinics. Extended Skills placements are varied and can include Family Planning, Palliative Care, Addiction Medicine, Sports Medicine, Academic GP Terms and Travel Medicine. Advanced Rural Skills Posts are available in Anaesthetics, Obstetrics, Emergency Medicine and Aboriginal Health or a community organisation. 73
WA Regional Training Providers
Regional Training Providers TAS
General Practice Training Tasmania GPTT
The Registrar experience Western Australia is divided into nine regions and GP Registrar education is provided locally in addition to the central full-day workshops held in Perth. Each region has a Registrar Liaison Officer (RLO) and a Regional Training Advisor. To complement this, staff offer excellent administrative and clinical support. Placements at training practices are based on preferences submitted by GP Registrars during the annual placement process and in 2009 90% of GP Registrars were allocated their first preference. There are only a few rural training opportunities within commuting distance of Perth, which means most participants need to relocate to their rural placements. Rural Registrars returning to Perth for education release days have their costs covered. There are subsidies for rural terms to cover relocation, rental and travel costs. The majority 74
of rural placements have more than one GP Registrar in each town, so there is always support nearby. There is a Rural Medicine Family Network that provides social contacts and support for spouses.
Dr Heather Brand (Perth and Outer Metropolitan North) heatherbrand@iinet.net.au
Current RLOs
Contact
Dr Michelle McNamara (Perth and Outer Metropolitan South) mmcn3414@gmp.usyd.edu.au
Dr Kate Beales (Kimberley) katebeales@gmail.com
Kim Tait kim.tait@wagpet.com.au
Dr Rebecca Hunt-Davies (Pilbara) jonobec@bigpond.net.au
Address: Suite 12, 16 Brodie Hall Drive, Technology Park Bentley WA 6102 Telephone: (08) 9473 8200 Fax: (08) 9472 4686 Email: admin@wagpet.com.au Website: www.wagpet.com.au
Dr Bethany Beckett (Mid West) bethany_beckett@yahoo.com.au Dr Caroline Haeusler (Goldfields) chaeusler92@yahoo.com.au Dr Latha Kumar (Peel) lats_doc@yahoo.com Dr George Marshall (South West) gremarshall@gmail.com Dr Liz Onley (Great Southern) lizonley@hotmail.com Dr Carly Taylor (Perth and Outer Metropolitan East) carlyelaine@yahoo.com
Expedition Medicine. Innovative and exciting emergency training in wilderness locations in Tasmania combined with clinical training in Emergency Medicine and Travel Medicine. Integrated communication skills training. Communication, consulting and counselling skills training is a key feature of the Tasmanian program.
Location General Practice Training Tasmania (GPTT) covers the whole State of Tasmania from its head office in Hobart.
Pathways available with GPTT General and Rural Pathways. RACGP and ACRRM Fellowship endpoints.
Geography and lifestyle Just one hour from Melbourne by plane, Tasmania is a land apart, a place of wilderness and beautiful landscapes, pristine beaches and welcoming people.
With a wonderful relaxed lifestyle in a temperate climate, Tasmania offers affordable housing along with a culture rich in the arts, music, theatre and sport. Relatively short distances between major centres mean that education, recreation, shopping and commercial services are all within easy reach.
Training opportunities with GPTT GPTT delivers a broad, strong educational program and is known for the following areas of special educational interest and expertise:
Highly regarded suite of practical skills workshops. Practical skills development with an emphasis on relevance to General Practice. »» STITCH – plastic surgery and trauma surgical skills in General Practice. »» Emergencies in General Practice – basic life support, acute cardiac resuscitation, emergency procedures, basic trauma management and approach to medical emergencies. »» Musculoskeletal Medicine. »» Women’s Health. »» Teaching skills for GP Registrars.
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TAS Regional Training Providers
Regional Training Providers NT
Northern Territory General Practice Education NTGPE
getaways as readily as interstate travel.
Contact Robyn Rose Education Manager robyn.rose@gptt.com.au
More adventurous Registrars train in remote Aboriginal communities throughout the Northern Territory. These Registrars take home rich personal experiences.
Address: 206 New Town Road, New Town Tas 7008 Telephone: (03) 6278 1551 Fax: (03) 6278 1551 Email: joanne.france@gptt.com.au Website: www.gptt.com.au Research opportunities. This post works particularly well in Tasmania because GPTT has very strong links with the University of Tasmania. Extended Special Skills Posts and clinical attachments. »» Palliative Care. »» Remote Medicine (Antarctica/Macquarie Island). »» Population Health. »» Emergency Medicine.
The Registrar experience GPTT offers a supportive learning environment that includes monthly small group learning meetings, two to three-day workshops held in beautiful locations around the State and a yearly annual dinner incorporated into a weekend 76
workshop for Registrars and family members. A scholarship fund is paid twice yearly which assists Registrars to broaden the range of their educational experiences and undertake research. There is also financial support for travel and accommodation for attending workshops and contributions towards reimbursements for other training courses. A rural rental subsidy and rural relocation allowance assist Registrars taking up rural training posts.
Current RLO Dr Allison Turnock rlotas@gptt.com.au
Training opportunities with NTGPE Location Northern Territory General Practice Education (NTGPE) is the sole GP training provider in the Northern Territory with regional offices in Darwin, Alice Springs and Katherine.
Pathways available with NTGPE General and Rural Pathways. RACGP and ACRRM Fellowship endpoints.
Geography and lifestyle Registrars have the opportunity to live in the Tropical Top End or in Central Australia and Barkly regions for those afraid of crocodiles!
Registrars in Central Australia enjoy weather that ranges from an average 35 degrees in summer to 15 degrees in winter and rarely any humidity. The regional centre of Central Australia, Alice Springs, is a busy tourism oriented community, only a two-hour commercial flight to all destinations nationally. Registrars in the Tropical Top End enjoy tropical weather around 30 degrees throughout the year with 50-80% humidity. Darwin, the Northern Territory’s capital city, has become a sophisticated multicultural hub for Australia’s liaison with South East Asia and Registrars enjoy international
Registrars are typically spoiled for training location type and choice. Registrars are exposed to a broad range of procedural and other practical practice-based skills in simulated and real clinical situations. NTGPE’s Medical and Cultural Education Facilitators are highly experienced. The NTGPE training suite includes: Fortnightly regional small group learning sessions. Teleconferences with Registrars and trainers. GP Start program. Indigenous Health orientation and ongoing training. Training Advisor meetings. External clinical teaching visits. Two family-friendly, threeday residential conferences in Alice Springs and Darwin. 77
NT Regional Training Providers
gives Registrars access to training resources whether in a remote location or mainstream practice. Temporary transfers into and out of the program are broadly supported.
Current RLO Dr Joanne Wood joanne.wood@ntgpe.org
Contact Points to consider The physical and clinical learning environments often push Registrars out of their comfort zone, which builds personal and professional confidence.
NTGPE offers excellent learning opportunities and experience in Aboriginal Health with a variety of accredited practices and trainers.
The Registrar experience
The learning environment is supportive with a focus on cultural sensitivity, safety and professional development. Flexible, family-friendly training acknowledges Registrars’ personal and family needs. Professional interests are catered for through Special Skills Posts.
As a remote, relatively small RTP, NTGPE takes notice of Registrar feedback.
NTGPE uses innovative modes of training delivery, which
NTGPE provides financial support to rural Registrars with relocation costs, access to information technology, rent and professional development subsidies and grants on top of government rural incentives.
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Christine Heatherington-Tait christine.heatherington-tait@ ntgpe.org Address: Level 3, Building 1 Yellow Precinct, Charles Darwin University, NT 0815 Telephone: (08) 8946 7079 Fax: (08) 8946 7077 Email: admin@ntgpe.org Website: www.ntgpe.org
What’s Important to You?
General Practice Education and Training in the NT is all about Challenge, Adventure, Oppotunity and Diversity ...
Challenge Training in the Territory challenges your clinical and communication skills and gives you the skills to be a more effective doctor in every setting! Medical cases are punctuated by chronic disease, cultural nuances, language barriers, dynamic human and medical resources and vast remote distances.
Adventure GP registrars in the NT decide whether a remote Aboriginal desert or island community, or a regional centre is the adventure for them... Registrars enjoy flexibile training opportunities, better access to Advanced and Extended Skills Posts with a quality training program that leads the way nationally in Aboriginal health training.
Opportunity GP Training in the Territory gives you the flexibility, skills and opportunity to work in acute care specialties, mainstream general practice, Indigenous and developing world health while making a real difference to Australia’s remote and Indigenous populations. And you choose where you would like to train throughout the NT!
Diversity...
Be spoilt for choice ... You deserve it!
www.ntgpe. or g
Regional Training Providers
Regional Training Providers
Remote Vocational Training Scheme RVTS
Geography and lifestyle If your lifestyle and career choices find you working in a remote community, you may be eligible for vocational training with RVTS. If your location qualifies, you can stay where you are.
Training opportunities with RVTS
Location The Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS) provides vocational training to doctors already working in rural and remote locations where on-site supervision is not available. Remoteness is actually an advantage.
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Pathways available with RVTS RVTS is not part of the AGPT and therefore the pathway structure does not apply. The endpoint can be FACRRM and/ or FRACGP/FARGP.
Interested in pursuing a career as a GP in a rural or remote location? We are the only RTP that provides remote supervision, allowing you to enjoy the challenges and independence of working in some of Australia’s remotest locations while training for Fellowship. Current RVTS Registrars can be found practising as Royal Flying Doctors, District Medical Officers, with Aboriginal Medical Services and in private practice, the majority in one or two doctor communities.
RVTS is specifically designed to meet the needs of rural and remote practice and is accredited to deliver training towards the FACRRM, FRACGP and FARGP qualifications.
Points to consider Train in a single location for three to four years towards FRACGP and/or FACRRM without needing to relocate. Receive comprehensive use of Rural and Remote Medical Education Online (RRMEO) for program delivery and facilitating discussion between Registrars and Supervisors. RVTS Registrars have a 90%+ pass rate in the FRACGP exam.
The Registrar experience
Current RLO
Education is provided via a unique blend of weekly teletutorials, face-to-face workshops and remote supervision. RVTS visits its Registrars on site to provide feedback on patient consultations.
Dr Andrew Wilke rlo@rvts.org.au
RVTS funds attendance at faceto-face workshops (including family) as well as attendance at remote and rural-relevant workshops run by other organisations. This includes EMST and APLS as well as other courses as required by the Registrar.
Contact Jeanette McLaren jmclaren@rvts.org.au Address: PO Box 37, Albury NSW 2640 Telephone: (02) 6021 6235 Email: info@rvts.org.au Website: www.rvts.org.au
RVTS is renowned for providing high quality training in a friendly, supportive environment.
RVTS Registrars are eligible for full Rural Registrar Incentive Payments, the HECS Reimbursement Scheme and Rural Retention Payments. The Commonwealth Government continues to expand RVTS, which means extra places.
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ASK A MENTOR Visit www.gpra.org.au and join the GPRA Mentors Program. You’ll be linked up with a Registrar who can give you peer-to-peer advice on your training and future career, based on personal experience.
4 Getting SUPPORT If your inner compass is pointing towards a future career in General Practice, then it’s good to know there’s an organisation of fellow travellers to help guide you on your journey.
Getting Support
your
Getting Support
GPRA support team
So you’ve made the decision to do General Practice? GPRA is there to support you all the way. Who is GPRA? GPRA stands for General Practice Registrars Australia. It is the peak national representative body for General Practice Registrars in Australia. One of our most important functions is to provide resources to support you as a GP Registrar throughout your training and represent your interests.
The future of General Practice In an era when General Practice is undergoing a generational shift, GPRA represents the emerging new generation of GPs as the voice of the future. We provide critical feedback to stakeholder organisations and the Government to help shape the direction of GP training. We have strong links with other key organisations involved in GP education and training so we can work together for the common purpose of advancing the profession and the health care of all Australians.
What GPRA does for you
About GPRA’s structure
We negotiate your pay and your conditions of employment. We fight for your interests and provide a direct channel to raise any issues. We represent your views to the Minister for Health and Ageing and other stakeholders. We provide a wealth of resources to support you throughout your training. We provide Registrar Liaison Officers (RLOs) at all Regional Training Providers (RTPs) to offer peer-to-peer support and report on any issues that require improvement.
Your RLO, GPRA Advisory Council, GPRA Board and management team all have a role to play.
visit us @ www.gpra.org.au 84
Each Regional Training Provider (RTP) employs one or more Registrar Liaison Officers (RLOs) who are there to help you with your training. The RLOs communicate via the GPRA Advisory Council email list server, forming an Australiawide network to provide solutions to local and national training issues. GPRA also has a Board of eight directors who are elected from GPRA’s membership at each Annual General Meeting in August.
Given GPRA’s expanding role, this includes Board positions for a prevocational doctor and a medical student. The GPRA Board is responsible for: Corporate governance. Financial sustainability. Advancing Registrar issues with appropriate organisations. The Board relies on the GPRA Advisory Council, which consists of RLOs from every RTP, to provide feedback and information on Registrar issues. From this input, the Board can develop policy to improve General Practice training.
DO IT NOW Get involved by becoming a GPRA member, raising issues with your RLO or contacting us direct: Level 4, 517 Flinders Lane Melbourne VIC 3001 1300 131 198 enquiries@gpra.org.au www.gpra.org.au
Be part of our online community. GPRA’s website puts all the information you need at your fingertips. Stay current on everything from National Minimum Terms and Conditions (NMT&C) to conferences and professional development workshops. 85
Getting Support
GPRA management team Chief Executive Officer: Amit Vohra Senior Manager: Margo Field Business Development Manager: Kate Marie Project Manager: Connie Lambrou GP Compass Project Officer: Mary Lambrou National Membership Development Manager: Georgina Johnston GPSN Project and Marketing Officer: Laura Borelli Marketing and Communications Officer: Janice Lim Accounts and Administration Officer: Rebecca Qi Administration and Website Officer: Kylie Flack
Amit
Margo
Kate
Connie
Mary
Georgina
Laura
Janice
Rebecca
Kylie
Belinda
Danika
Jennifer
George
Abhi
Bennie
Lana
Mary
Board of directors Chair: Dr Belinda Guest Vice-Chair: Dr Danika Fietz Dr Jennifer Mooi Dr George Forgan-Smith Dr Abhi Varshney Dr Bennie Ng Dr Lana Prout Ms Mary Wyatt
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