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‘Disturbing’ lack of details revealed for looming IMG fast-track pathway


Michelle Wisbey


10/09/2024 3:38:20 PM

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.

GP speaking to patient.
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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Dr Santosh Lional Thomas   11/09/2024 9:31:49 AM

Could RACGP elaborate on the support currently provided for IMGs. Is there any data on how satisfied the IMGs feel about the support provided?


Dr Sam   11/09/2024 10:02:03 AM

‘For general practice, face-to-face interviews were never required."
That is a lie! IMG-GPs had to go through the ridiculous PESCI exam which initially supposed to be an interview but in fact is a mini-OSCE exam with a pass/fail outcome. Basically if you fail you have to kiss goodbye your position.


Dr T   11/09/2024 11:30:52 AM

The colleges are mainly concerned purely for the potential financial loss. Very little support for img doctors and lots of red tape. All the educational requirements can still be achieved with the current cpd activities,
Unfortunately ahpra is being just as transparent with the process as the racgp/acrrm are with their own process's. Can understand the colleges frustrations at present, all imgs have gone through this when dealing with them.


Dr Victor Oyenkekaibe Oboro   11/09/2024 11:34:38 AM

The hurdles that IMGs face in Australia include pass rates of the Colleges exams. particularly PESCI ACRRM exams. By contrast, a 99% pass rate on initial encounter for Canadian exam is reported in https://www.cfpc.ca/CFPC/media/Resources/Examinations/FM-Exam-Report-Infographic-July-13-2022-EN-final.pdf. Moreover, you only have to do a year of practice in Canada to sit their qualifying exam. Some IMGs who have already spent years working in Australia but could not pass these exams would just likey move to Canada, obtain their Fellowship exam after a year, then move back to Australia and get registered as a Specialist by AHPRA. This would definitely provide some respite for such who have had to sit numerous Australian specialist exams after working for years and have nothing to show for it.


Dr Victor Oyenkekaibe Oboro   11/09/2024 12:15:17 PM

The hurdles that IMGs face in Australia include pass rates of the Colleges exams. particularly PESCI ACRRM exams. By contrast, a 99% pass rate on initial encounter for Canadian exam is reported in https://www.cfpc.ca/CFPC/media/Resources/Examinations/FM-Exam-Report-Infographic-July-13-2022-EN-final.pdf. Moreover, you only have to do a year of practice in Canada to sit their qualifying exam. Some IMGs who have already spent years working in Australia but could not pass these exams would just likey move to Canada, obtain their Fellowship exam after a year, then move back to Australia and get registered as a Specialist by AHPRA. This would definitely provide some respite for such who have had to sit numerous Australian specialist exams after working for years and have nothing to show for it.


MI   11/09/2024 2:34:52 PM

AHPRA lures them because they need some money , then hammers them with disciplines! LOL


Dr Angela Maree Roche   12/09/2024 12:24:45 PM

“ Wraparound “ support ( “ wraparound” - political / health service speak when you’re not really saying anything), “ Scope of Practice “ ??
Is this a medical college speaking or was I just listening to ……


Dr Abdul Ahad Khan   14/09/2024 5:00:25 PM

I was an IMG in the 1970s.
There was no RACGP & no Obstacles in my Path.
I learnt all that I needed to learn, working as a Hospital Rotating Intern in various Departments ( A & E / ICU / Medical Wards / Surgical Wards O & G Wards / Paediatrics / Dermatology / Orthopoedics / Ophthalmology / Urology )
We worked under Supervision of Registrars & Specialists.

That was all the Medical Training that I needed before I entered General Practice.

My Colleague IMGs did the same & ALL OF US have been High Quality GPs.

Why cannot IMGS be made to rotate in various Hospital Departments & under similar Supervision & then permitted to enter General Practice, bypassing the Colleges altogether.

The TEMPLE of LEARNING is inside of & not outside of Hospitals.

These IMGS have completed their MBBS Examinations, unlike any of the Allied Health Professions.

These IMGs will be much SAFER to the Innocent Populace than Non-MBBSs functioning as GPs.

DR AHAD KHAN


Dr Manlio Fabio Felix Ruiz   14/09/2024 6:07:40 PM

Did I read wrong? Interviews never required? 🤣
I needed to pass a very hard PESCI interview 4-5 years ago to be able to work as a GP.
I had to wait 4 months with RACGP as they were fully booked. Therefore I had it with ACRRM. Very good experience having this interview with ACRRM I must say.


Dr Manlio Fabio Felix Ruiz   14/09/2024 6:09:54 PM

I don’t know what is funnier the article or the comments!!


Dr Siva Kumar Raju Muppala   16/09/2024 6:38:22 PM

I must say, the RACGP has not supported the IMGs and indirectly rural clinics in the past . Consequences following.


Dr Abdul Ahad Khan   17/09/2024 5:38:37 AM

It is your Illusion Dr. Ruiz that is ' Funny ' & the Belief that the RACGP & the ACRRM are quintessential for being a GOOD GP.
DR. AHAD KHAN - a GOOD GP


Dr Angela Maree Roche   18/09/2024 10:32:12 AM

I agree with Dr Ahad Khan . I’ll take a person trained in medicine any day over someone who is not medically trained .


Dr Abdul Ahad Khan   18/09/2024 7:57:08 PM

Thanks Angela for agreeing with my Views.

MBBS Graduates are placed Obstacle after Obstacle by the RACGP before they are allowed to function as Independent GPs - this is done under the Pretext of ensuring that the Populace get SAFE GPs.

At the same time, it is the same RACGP, who will do nothing, when Non-MBBSs take on the Role of a GP - why is the RACGP not concerned then, of the SAFETY of the Populace. ???

with disappointment in RACGP,
DR. AHAD KHAN