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RACGP takes the lead in supporting non-vocationally registered doctors
RACGP Chief Executive Officer Dr Zena Burgess reflects on the college’s new program to support non-vocationally registered doctors attain Fellowship.
As the largest and most influential healthcare organisation in Australia, the RACGP has a responsibility to provide those working in primary care with the best available support throughout their careers. That goes for doctors in any location and from any educational background.
That is why I am so pleased with the recent announcement of the RACGP’s new Practice Experience Program (PEP). Expressions of interest will open on Tuesday 3 July, with a pilot of the program due to officially start in January 2019.
The PEP will support more than 3000 non-vocationally registered (VR) doctors working in general practice with a targeted educational program in a bid to boost exam pass rates, with the ultimate goal of attaining Fellowship of the RACGP.
The majority of PEP will be funded by the Federal Government, which will provide funding over the next five years to help support non-VR doctors who are providing general practice services.
Many of the non-VR doctors throughout Australia are international medical graduates (IMGs) who are required to work for up to a decade in rural and remote areas, where there is a long-standing doctor shortage. Many are currently not eligible for the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program and alternative support options are limited.
This means many non-VR doctors – who are providing general practice services to people all around Australia – currently prepare for Fellowship exams with minimal support.
Anyone who has worked in an isolated setting understands it can be a challenging experience, and it can be exceedingly difficult to find the necessary drive to prepare for exams when toiling way in anonymity.
The RACGP will now offer these doctors the support they need and deserve with a self-directed program that provides educational support tailored to each participant’s needs. The PEP participants will have access to a range of online modules and materials, in-practice assessment activities and contact and support from medical educators, mentors and assessors.
It is envisaged candidates will spend an average of 12–18 months in the program before attempting Fellowship of the RACGP (FRACGP) examinations.
This will not only help doctors to progress their careers, but ultimately lead to better patient outcomes throughout the country.
The PEP will commence as a pilot in January 2019 and will be delivered in partnership with regional training organisations (RTOs). Expressions of interest will remain open until 27 July.
I encourage everyone to visit the PEP pilot website and find out more about this new program. Email the PEP team on pepadmin@racgp.org.au if you have any questions.
fracgp non-vr doctors pep Practice Experience Program
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