FSP registrar newsletter

In this issue

• RACGP end-of-year closure
• Finalise term requirements
• FSP evaluation survey findings
• Registrar liaison officer
• General practice experience assessment reminder for 2025.2 AKT / KFP
• RACGP examinations
• Changes to FSP eligibility and selection process
• GPiT Wellbeing Committee Report
• Wellbeing resources
• Coming up

RACGP end-of-year closure

All RACGP offices will be closed from 5.00 pm Monday 23 December 2024 to Thursday 2 January 2025 for the holidays.

Please be mindful that we won’t be able to respond to any queries over this period.

Finalise term requirements

As we draw to the end of another term, now is a great time to review your FSP educational requirements and complete any outstanding tasks for the current term. We’ve outlined the requirements for each GP term below:

GPT1 

• FSP Introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Awareness Module
• Significant event analysis (SEA)
• Acknowledge all workplace-based assessment (WBA) feedback.

GPT2 

• Begin your multi-source feedback (MSF) surveys
• Acknowledge all WBA feedback.

GPT3 

• Finalise any outstanding components of the multi-source feedback (MSF)
• Upload evidence-based medicine activity documentation
• Acknowledge all WBA feedback.

Acknowledge your WBAs

Please review the rated assessment (mini-clinical evaluation exercise (mini-CEX) and case-based discussions/random case analysis) in Assessments and Forms. For each ‘Rated’ assessment, read the feedback, acknowledge it by ticking the box and add the date. Once acknowledged, the assessment will be marked as finalised.

If you need more detailed instructions or information about specific tasks, feel free to reach out to us at fspadmin@racgp.org.au.

FSP evaluation survey findings

The RACGP evaluation team contact FSP registrars at the end of their first term and after program completion. We’d like to report some key findings from these surveys so you’re aware of the overall program satisfaction from your peers in the program.

• The large majority of FSP registrars are satisfied with the EASL and WBA assessments.
• “Checkpoint” communications you receive are helpful and informative.
• Less than 5% of survey respondents didn’t use gplearning or the FSP portal.
• Exam preparation we offer needs to be broadened so we’re empowering you to be confident in completing exams.

Registrar liaison officer

We’re currently recruiting for a replacement FSP registrar liaison officer (RLO).

We’d like to thank Dr Muhammad Raza for representing his fellow peers over the last few years and working with us to better the program.

We hope to announce our new FSP RLO early in the new year.

General practice experience assessment reminder for 2025.2 AKT / KFP

FSP registrars must submit a complete GPE application by 5:00 pm (AEDT) Monday 27 January 2025 to receive an outcome advising whether they meet the experience requirements to enrol for the 2025.2 AKT and KFP.

FSP registrars need a valid outcome before enrolments close, and it needs to remain valid for the date of the exam/s.

Affected registrars were contacted yesterday, Thursday 19 December, with further details relating to the GPE assessment. 

RACGP examinations

Updated Key Feature Problem exam format

From 2025.2, the Key Feature Problem (KFP) exam will consist of 70 individual scenarios, each with a multiple selection question (MSQ) that is answered on a paper bubble sheet, similar to that used for the Applied Knowledge Test (AKT). Handwritten responses will not be required.

We’re not changing what we assess, only the format by which we assess it.

The exam will remain four hours in duration and be delivered in the same locations as the current exams. The new format will mean candidates will receive their results before the Clinical Competency Exam (CCE) enrolment period.

To support candidates with the new format, a full suite of resources and detailed information is available on the RACGP KFP webpage. These include:  

• gplearning exam preparation modules     
• FAQs  
• example questions  
• updated handbooks and guides. 

For more information, please reach out to examinations@racgp.org.au. 

November self-assessment progress test now available via gplearning

The November Self-Assessment Progress Test (SAPT) is now available to support your exam preparation.

To access the SAPT, log in to gplearning and select the Self-Assessment Progress Tests (SAPTs) course. A video showing where to find SAPTs on gplearning can be found here.

SAPTs include Applied Knowledge Test and Key Feature Problem questions from previous Fellowship exams. Developed in response to registrar feedback, SAPTs help you identify learning needs, self-assess clinical reasoning and experience the exam question format.

There are links to eTG resources throughout the SAPTs. You must be logged in to Therapeutic Guidelines to access these. Once the test is complete you can access the answers and rationale, as well as resources for that topic, curriculum links and suggestions for further study.

If you have difficulty accessing the SAPT, please email gptraininglms@racgp.org.au.  

2025.1 AKT and KFP information video is now available

The AKT and KFP information video recording is now available via gplearning.

To access, log in to gplearning, search for the ‘National exam information videos’ course.

Hosted by Dr Sharnti Caulley AKT National Assessment Advisor, Dr Emilie Pitter KFP National Assessment Advisor and Dr Elise Perger National Lead Medical Educator Exam Preparation, the webinar covers:  

• the format of the AKT and KFP
• how to best use the resources available
• study tips
• how to prepare for and approach the exam.

We strongly encourage anyone who intends to sit the AKT and KFP in January to watch this informative information video. For further exam planning support visit our website.

Changes to FSP eligibility and selection process

Following feedback regarding changes to eligibility requirements for FSP for the 2025.2 intake, RACGP has decided the implementation of the following new eligibility criteria be paused to allow the opportunity for further consultation and review, to ensure the changes provide the best possible outcomes for members, applicants, and patients:

• At least 12 months of full-time equivalent (FTE) general practice experience in Australia within the last four years.
• For applicants who have already attempted an RACGP Fellowship exam, they must have at least one exam semester remaining from the commencement of training and need to have previously passed at least one Fellowship exam to apply.

These changes will not apply for the 2025.2 intake.

For further information, please visit our website or read the latest version of the FSP Application handbook.

GPiT Wellbeing Committee Report

The 2024 GPs in Training Wellbeing Committee’s Report outlines the year’s key achievements, including advocacy for the Every Doctor, Every Setting framework, improvements to training programs and the launch of the National Registrar Wellbeing Program Working Group. These GPs in Training Faculty initiatives are designed to support the ongoing professional growth of GPs and ensure a positive and supportive training experience.

The report provides valuable insights into the committee’s impact and its continued focus on enhancing the general practice training experience.

We invite you to take a look at the report, explore our priorities and be part of the positive changes shaping the future of general practice.

Wellbeing resources

As it is the busiest time of year for most, we want to remind you about RACGP’s wellbeing support resources, specifically the wellbeing support program, that allows you to access three free EAP style support sessions.

Please reach out to us, or your medical educator if you’d like further information on this. 

Coming up

All cohorts

• New term fees due by 8.00 pm Friday 27 December 2024.
• New term commencing Monday 6 January 2025.
• GPE assessment submission required for registrars who need to enrol in 2025.2 AKT / KFP - by 5.00 pm (AEDT) Monday 27 January 2025.