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‘Disturbing’ lack of details revealed for looming IMG fast-track pathway
AHPRA has announced a 27% jump in IMGs approved to work in Australia, but the RACGP fears wraparound support and connection to medical colleges is being bypassed.
The average time taken for AHPRA to assess IMG applications decreased from 110 days to 87 days in one year.
Newly approved international medical graduates (IMGs) are pouring into Australia following a decision from the health watchdog to scrap in-person interviews, but the RACGP has raised significant concerns this is leaving doctors unsupported and unprepared.
New Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) data, released on Tuesday, revealed a 27% increase in the number of IMGs approved to work in Australia in the past year.
There has also been a 26% decrease in the time taken to assess their applications.
This follows AHRPA changes rolled out late last year, which meant overseas-based applicants were no longer required to undergo a face-to-face identity check in Australia before being registered.
RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins told newsGP this is a case of AHPRA ‘cutting its own red tape’ to reduce the burden for doctors wanting to work in Australia, but said it brings with it a long list of ‘disturbing’ concerns.
‘We’re bringing new doctors to the country who are unfamiliar with our health system and culture who will not be supported as they make that transition, as they would if they were still linked with a medical college such as the RACGP or ACRRM,’ she said.
‘For general practice, face-to-face interviews were never required.
‘The RACGP was already getting bums on seats quickly and efficiently for those who are considered substantially comparable, and we’re yet to see the details of whether the Medical Board’s approach will be an improvement on that.’
Dr Higgins said that while the RACGP values the contribution IMGs make to Australian healthcare, especially in rural and remote areas, they must be supported to work within these unique locations.
The new figures come as the Medical Board of Australia’s new fast-track registration pathway is just weeks away from launching.
As of 21 October, and subject to ministerial approval, specific overseas specialist qualifications will be recognised, and upfront specialist registration will be granted to eligible doctors.
The RACGP said it was ‘blindsided’ by the plan when it was announced earlier this year, saying the decision goes directly against stark warnings about the dangers of bypassing the colleges and their accreditation processes.
AHPRA says this new pathway will initially prioritise GPs, before specialists with accepted qualifications in anaesthetics, psychiatry, and obstetrics and gynaecology are expected to be included by December.
‘We’re doing what we can with the regulatory levers we have to attract skilled medical specialists to Australia, while keeping standards high,’ Medical Board of Australia Chair Dr Anne Tonkin said.
But Dr Higgins said the RACGP still does not have details of the new fast-track pathway, previously known as the expedited pathway.
‘The concern for these doctors coming into Australia is that they are uncoupled from Fellowship to a medical college which provides peer support and education around rural context, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and the medical system,’ she said.
‘RACGP provides that wraparound support and the uncoupling of specialist recognition from Fellowship is disturbing, which we’ve expressed to the Medical Board.’
‘Overseas-trained doctors will be left feeling unsupported – the medical system is confusing for Australian doctors, let alone for a new doctor coming into the country.’
Dr Higgins said that while workforce distribution policies are out of scope for the Medical Board, it is important to understand the context in which these doctors will work.
The RACGP has previously raised concerns of the risk that qualifications will not translate into Australian practice, in terms of a doctor’s scope of practice.
It has ‘strongly recommended’ suitability and prior experience in rural and remote contexts in country of origin, rural and remote practice and appropriate supervision be required for doctors working in these settings.
AHPRA chief executive Martin Fletcher said the agency is doing ‘everything possible to make Australia an attractive work destination’ for IMGs.
‘State and territory health systems are aiming to recruit thousands of international health workers to ease the strain on our health systems, and AHPRA is working closely with our health partners to ensure they are safe, qualified and ready,’ he said.
The AHPRA data revealed that in the 2023–24 financial year, 5717 IMG applications were finalised, an increase of 1205 on the previous financial year.
The average time taken to assess those applications decreased from 110 days in 2022–23, to 87 days.
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