RACGP Standards for general practices 4th edition
Appendix C
General practice surveyors
Definition of peer surveyor
A ‘peer’ is defined by the RACGP as a general practitioner (GP) who has the experience and currency of practice to meet the requirements outlined below. It is the RACGP’s position that two surveyors undertake survey and assessment for the purposes of accreditation of general practices. One surveyor must be a GP.
Expanded definition: non GP surveyors of general practice
The RACGP recognises that a practice nurse, practice manager, allied health professional or Aboriginal health worker, can also assess and survey against the RACGP Standards for general practices.
General practice surveyors are health professionals with qualifications, experience and technical expertise relevant to general practice who have been selected according to the guidelines below.
Guidelines for the selection of general practice surveyors (peer and non peer)
The selection of general practice surveyors needs to be a reliable and transparent process.
Surveyors need to be selected to provide a balance of skills and experience and to match the needs and characteristics of individual general practices, taking into consideration cultural appropriateness and geographic location.
General practice surveyors need to demonstrate the following:
- contemporary knowledge of general practice, sufficient to make a reliable assessment of the competence of the general practice to provide safe, high quality products, processes or services
- thorough knowledge of the RACGP Standards for general practices and relevant assessment method and documentation
- familiarity with applicable legislation (e.g. drugs and poisons legislation, registration requirements, environment protection requirements)
- thorough knowledge of and experience in risk management, including the ability to analyse systems and their potential for failure
- health professional background with qualifications relevant to general practice
- substantial technical experience in at least one area relevant to general practice (e.g. practice management)
- the ability to communicate effectively
- declaration of conflicts of interest (eg. relationship with the general practice seeking external review such as previously employed by the general practice and/ or provided consultancy services to it).
At all times the practice has the right to veto suggested surveyors. The RACGP recommends practices have access to the curriculum vitae of proposed surveyors to enable the practice to make an informed decision about the survey team.
Guidelines on the training of surveyors
1. Initial training of new surveyors
New surveyors require thorough orientation, supervision and mentoring in order to provide a consistent and credible service to general practice.
The RACGP believes that new surveyors require the input of the RACGP in the following areas:
- theoretical concepts of RACGP Standards development
- aspects of Standards assessment (eg. observation, document review, patient feedback, interview).
2. Continuing professional development of surveyors
Surveyors need continuing professional development for skill development, including the input of the RACGP in the following areas:
- interpretation of RACGP Standards for general practices and other standards developed for special interest areas (eg. cosmetic medicine, skin cancer medicine, Aboriginal medical services)
- discussion of areas of inconsistent interpretation as reported to the RACGP.