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General Practice Training - Valley to Coast Regional Training Provider. GP training, postgraduate,vocational,Newcastle,The Hunter Valley,Central Coast,Manning,New South Wales.
  

Overview of GP Training

The first formal vocational training program for General Practice in Australia commenced in 1974 and was known as the Family Medicine Program. It was developed and run by the RACGP and was funded by a direct grant from the Commonwealth Government.

Currently vocational training is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing through GPET (General Practice Education and Training). GPET is a Commonwealth owned body that is responsible for the administration of GP training across Australia. GPET contracts training providers on a regional basis to provide the training. Currently there are 17 regional training providers (RTPs) across Australia.

General Practice Training – Valley to Coast is the regional training provider for the Central Coast, Hunter and Manning area.

Roles of GPET, RACGP and ACRRM

GPET holds the funds for GP training and individual RTPs have to negotiate their funding contract with GPET on an annual basis. GPET administers the program on a national basis. This includes administering the national selection process and setting the operational rules and policies e.g. the Transfer Policy that governs a registrar’s ability to move between regions.

The RACGP sets standards for GP training, the curriculum for GP training, and runs the fellowship examination. The RACGP Censor ultimately determines whether a registrar is awarded the FRACGP on the basis of passing the fellowship examination and satisfactory completion of the RACGP requirements for training. The RACGP is responsible for the accreditation of all training posts and supervisors.

ACRRM (the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine) is concerned with training for rural and remote practice. ACRRM has established its own curriculum, standards and fellowship examination. The ACRRM Censor ultimately determines whether a registrar is awarded the FACRRM on the basis of passing the fellowship examination and satisfactory completion of the ACRRM requirements for training. ACRRM has its own accreditation requirements for rural practices and rural GP supervisors.

From 2008, achieving either FRACGP or FACRRM will result in a doctor gaining vocational recognition as a GP and access to a GP provider number.

Structure of the training program under RACGP

GP training is normally a three year training program. The earliest that a doctor can commence GP training is at the start of their RMO1 year. (Doctors who apply after a number of years of hospital experience may apply for recognition of prior learning.)

A typical path through the training program would be:
 

  • 12 months of hospital posts (at level of RMO1 or above)
  • first 6 month supervised General Practice term – GP Term 1
  • second 6 month supervised General Practice term – GP Term 2
  • third 6 month supervised General Practice term – GP Term 3
  • 6 months of Extended Skills (which can be in General Practice or in hospital or community posts)

Registrars sit the RACGP Fellowship examination during their training. After successfully passing the examination and completing their training, registrars are awarded the FRACGP and achieve recognition as a General Practitioner with the HIC.

Some registrars choose to do an optional fourth year of further training for rural practice known as an Advanced Rural Skills Post (ARSP). This may make the registrar eligible to sit for the RACGP Fellowship of Advanced Rural General Practice (FARGP). 

Structure of the training program under ACRRM

Rural training is normally a four year training program. The earliest that a doctor can commence GP training is at the start of their RMO1 year. (Doctors who apply after a number of years of hospital experience may apply for recognition of prior learning.)

A typical path through the training program would be:

  • 12 months of hospital posts (at level of RMO1 or above)
  • 2 years in rural practice (which can be General Practice, hospital, Aboriginal Medical Service or other community posts)
  • 12 months of Advanced Rural Skills posts

Registrars sit the ACRRM Fellowship examination during their training. After successfully passing the examination and completing their training, registrars are awarded the FACRRM and achieve recognition as a General Practitioner with the HIC.

Selection and Pathways

Selection into GP training is administered on a national basis by GPET. There is an annual selection process.

Registrars have to specify their preferences as to which RTP they wish to train with. If successful at interview they will be offered a training place with a specific regional training provider. Generally speaking, registrars are required to complete their training with that RTP.

The national intake is divided into two pathways, General Pathway and Rural Pathway. Registrars in the General Pathway can undertake GP terms in either urban or rural areas. Registrars in the Rural Pathway have to undertake all their GP terms in a rural area (defined as RA 2-5). General Practice Training – Valley to Coast has both General Pathway and Rural Pathway places.