1. Fellowship ad eundem gradum - Policy

2. Policy declaration

Applicants must meet the requirements detailed in this policy to be awarded Fellowship ad eundem gradum.  

This policy is authorised by the CEO.

3. Background

3.1 Objective & Scope

This policy aims to describe the requirements for Fellowship ad eundem gradum.

4. Definitions

For the purposes of this policy:

1. Applicant means a medical practitioner who is applying for Fellowship ad eundem gradum.
2. Full time general practice experience is calculated at a minimum of 27 hours face to face, rostered, patient consultation time in general practice activities and undertaken over a minimum of four days per week within a minimum 38 hour working week. Work periods of less than three consecutive hours, or of less than one month in any one practice, will not be considered. Hours worked beyond this definition of full time will not be considered.
3. Part time general practice experience is calculated pro-rata with a minimum of 10.5 hours face to face, rostered, patient consultation time in general practice activities and undertaken over a minimum of two days per week within a minimum 14.5 hour working week. Work periods of less than three consecutive hours, or of less than one month in any one practice, will not be considered.

5. Applying for Fellowship ad eundem gradum

The process for applying for Fellowship ad eundem gradum is detailed in RACGP’s Applying for Fellowship ad eundem gradum Guidance Document.

6. Requirements for Fellowship ad eundem gradum

6.1 Education requirements

Applicants must:

1. Hold an RACGP recognised category one general practice qualification; qualifications gained through ‘grandfathering’ or reciprocal arrangements will not be accepted. The accepted list of qualifications is available at: racgp.org.au/becomingagp/imgaus/specialist-pathway/.
2. Have completed the Specialist Pathway Education Program as amended from time to time.
3. Have completed a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) course within the twelve months prior to applying for Fellowship ad eundem gradum. The requirements are detailed in RACGP’s Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Advanced Life Support Courses Guidance Document
4. Have completed training in the early management of trauma and advanced life support (ALS) within the four years prior to applying for Fellowship ad eundem gradum. The requirements are detailed in RACGP’s Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Advanced Life Support Courses Guidance Document.
5. Have registered in RACGP’s Quality Improvement and Continuing Professional Development (QI&CPD) program.

6.2 Experience requirements

Applicants must have recent general practice experience in at least predominantly comparable general practice as prescribed in the Assessment of General Practice Experience Policy, that meets the requirements of the Medical Board of Australia’s Recency of Practice Standard available at: www.ahpra.gov.au.

6.3 Professional and ethical requirements

The RACGP reserves the right to withhold awarding an applicant Fellowship ad eundem gradum, if the RACGP reasonably considers the relevant applicant:

1. would be at risk of breaching clause 27 of RACGP’s Constitution available at racgp.org.au/yourracgp/organisation/management/constitution/
2. is generally unsuitable to hold Fellowship of the RACGP as detailed in RACGP’s Fit and Proper Fellow Policy available at racgp.org.au/support/policies/organisational/.  

6.4 Administrative requirements

Applicants must:                                   

1. Have their completed application for Fellowship ad eundem gradum accepted. For further details see RACGP’s Applying for Fellowship ad eundem gradum Guidance Document.
2. Hold current medical registration in their current jurisdiction of practice and must promptly disclose all details of any:
   1. restrictions on or changes to their medical registration; and
   2. regulatory authority activity, whether in Australia or otherwise, that:
      • has led or may lead to a restriction on practice; or
      • has led to an adverse finding for the medical practitioner, or forms part of an ongoing investigation.

Due to restrictions on their medical registration or any other regulatory authority activity, Applicants may not be granted Fellowship ad eundem gradum. Failure to disclose 6.4bi or 6.4bii will be handled as per the Educational Misconduct Policy.

3. Be a financial RACGP member prior to the granting of Fellowship ad eundem gradum and throughout their candidature completing the requirements for award of certificate.

7. Awarding of Fellowship ad eundem gradum

The determination to award Fellowship ad eundem gradum is made by Council and is dependent on the recommendation of the Board of Censors.

8. Award of Certificate

To be awarded the Fellowship ad eundem gradum certificate applicants must:

1. Commence work in Australian general practice within six months of being awarded Fellowship ad eundem gradum. Candidates who cannot commence work in this timeframe may apply for a maximum of two, six month extensions, by submitting the Fellowship ad eundem gradum Extension Application.
2. Complete four months full time equivalent Australian general practice in the twelve month period following commencement of work.
3. Undertake mentorship alongside the Australian general practice in clause 8b. Applicants must advise the RACGP of their mentor prior to commencing work. The mentor must:
   1. be an RACGP Fellow or be accepted by their peers as an excellent general practice clinician; and
   2. provide guidance and support related to familiarisation with Australian general practice.
4. Hold current Australian medical registration from the date of commencing work in Australian general practice and must promptly disclose all details of any:
   1. restrictions on or changes to their medical registration; and
   2. regulatory authority activity, whether in Australia or otherwise, that:
      • has led or may lead to a restriction on practice; or
      • has led to an adverse finding for the medical practitioner, or forms part of an ongoing investigation.

Due to restrictions on their medical registration or any other regulatory authority activity, Applicants may not be awarded the Fellowship ad eundem gradum certificate. Failure to disclose 8ci or 8cii will be handled as per the Educational Misconduct Policy.

5. Participate in and fulfil the requirements of RACGP’s Quality Improvement and Continuing Professional Development (QI&CPD) Program.
6. Candidates will be eligible to receive their Fellowship certificate as eundem gradum certificate following successful completion of all requirements. For further information, see RACGP’s Applying for Fellowship ad eundem gradum Guidance Document. 

9. Related policies, documents and legislation

All policies and guidance documents related to Fellowship ad eundem gradum are available at:www.racgp.org.au/education/fellowship/fellowship-of-the-racgp/policies/.

10. Administrative procedures

10.1 Access to published policy

This policy will be available via the RACGP website as detailed in clause 9.

10.2 Promulgation of published policy

Relevant staff members will be provided communications explaining the function and role of this policy.

10.3 Review of this policy

This policy will have a review cycle of three years.

QMS Number: PO-ED-PO-951 Rev: 1.01