In Practice newsletter
24 November 2015
Changes to RACGP Fellowship examinations
To provide increased support to candidates throughout their assessment journey, the RACGP is progressing a number of key initiatives.
Examination data collected over several years has illustrated that candidates have a significantly increased likelihood of passing their exams on their first attempt than any subsequent attempts. Appropriate preparation (including access to quality support materials and advice) and readiness to sit the exams have been identified as vital components of a successful outcome.
In the coming months the RACGP will publish a number of new documents designed to improve support to candidates in their Fellowship exam preparation. This will include guidance for each exam segment concerning:
-
advice on exam preparation
-
hints and tips
-
frequently asked questions (FAQs)
-
explanation of assessment procedures.
A further change will include the requirement for candidates to successfully complete the Key Feature Problems (KFP) exam prior to sitting the Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE). Therefore, from 1 January 2017 all candidates will be required to pass both the Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) and KFP prior to sitting the OSCE.
Past examination results have clearly illustrated that candidates have a significantly higher probability of successful completion of the OSCE if they have passed both the AKT and KFP.
RACGP Fellowship exams are designed to test a candidate’s knowledge and skill and their capacity to effectively apply them within the practice environment. Hence the RACGP Fellowship exams have been sequenced to progressively assess applied knowledge in the AKT, the application of a candidate’s clinical reasoning in the practice environment in the KFP, and practice proficiency in the OSCE.
Dr Frank R Jones
RACGP President
GPs encouraged to support White Ribbon Day
The RACGP has united with Australia and New Zealand’s peak medical colleges and health bodies to support the White Ribbon Day campaign to end men’s violence against women on Wednesday 25 November – the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
Violence against women is a widespread issue in Australia and New Zealand. Although often unspoken, reported rates are high in both countries, with up to a third of women experiencing physical or sexual violence in their lifetimes.
As health and medical professionals, the members of our organisations see the devastating effects of violence against women all too often. On White Ribbon Day, RACGP members are encouraged to wear white ribbons in their workplaces to demonstrate their support for the campaign to colleagues, patients and clients and to indicate their willingness and availability to discuss this sensitive and difficult issue, should they be experiencing violence in their lives.
The RACGP sets and provides a Curriculum for Australian general practice that reflects the fundamental skills and attributes for addressing family violence.
Abuse and violence: Working with our patients in general practice (the White book) is an extensive resource for GPs providing evidence-based guidance on appropriate identification and response in clinical practice to patients experiencing abuse and violence.
The latest edition offers new insight into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, as well as migrant, refugee and rural communities.
The RACGP’s Domestic violence and abuse active learning module (ALM), available via gplearning is a comprehensive six-hour education module for GPs and covers:
-
understanding domestic violence
-
responding to domestic violence
-
why women stay
-
safety plans
-
refugee and migrant communities.
Visit the White Ribbon Day website for more information.
Policy changes to Vocational Training Pathway
The RACGP has published three new policies related to the Vocational Training Pathway:
-
Vocational Training Pathway – Requirements for Fellowship Policy
-
Recognition of Prior Learning Policy
-
Vocational Training Pathway – Examination Eligibility Policy.
A suite of related guidance documents providing additional information for regional training providers (RTPs) and registrars has also been published.
The new policy and guidance documents have been developed to provide greater clarity for training providers and registrars within the changing training environment.
Further information on the new policies can be found on the RACGP website under the policy change notice. The policy and guidance documents are also available on the RACGP website.
For all enquiries relating to this policy update, please contact Claire Priestley, RACGP Policy Coordinator, on 03 8699 0511, or Rosemary Young, Policy, Governance and Accreditation Team Leader, on 03 8699 0481.
RACGP clinical pearl – e-mental health: convenient, flexible, accessible
The term e-mental health is used to describe the use of the internet and related communication technologies to deliver mental health information, services and care. One major application for e-mental health is in the development of online programs for the prevention and treatment of mental illness. In addition to being a convenient option for patients, e-mental health interventions can help reduce waitlists for psychological treatment and provide support to people who find it difficult to attend face-to-face specialist care.
e-Mental health: A guide for GPs is an RACGP resource designed to provide an introduction to the field, links to key resources and takeaway messages for practices.
To learn more about the world of e-mental health, join us for a free webinar presented by Dr Jan Orman and Dr Caroline Johnson. Participants can choose between two sessions: Wednesday 2 December at 1.00 pm AEDT or Thursday 3 December at 7.30 pm AEDT. Register now.