Using the profile

Using the profile

The Profile defines the progressive development and expansion of competencies from entry into general practice terms, through to achievement of the Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. The structure of the profile shows the expected progression from entry to consolidation, to foundation and then to Fellowship. The competencies at the earlier levels are integrated into the competencies required at higher levels. In this way, the Profile provides anchor points for feedback and assessment that can allow for consistency of understanding about how a registrar is progressing towards being a specialist general practitioner.

Information to support judgements about competency attainment may come from many sources and will vary based on the competency.  For example, information to support judgements about performance related to communication may be obtained from observation of consultation, and patient feedback. However, for a competency relating to use of practice systems, feedback from a practice manager may be more relevant. An assessment program encompassing workplace-based assessment is designed to provide information across a range of competencies, to support judgements about attainment and progression.

The roles, capabilities, and themes provide a structured guide to identifying the most relevant competencies in each situation, recognising that different contexts offer varied opportunities for assessment. Even within a session in practice, the competencies required in a consultation with a patient with chest pain, differ from those of the next patient with an undifferentiated presentation, and from the next consultation with a child for immunisation. All will provide information on the topic of communication with patients and families. All will test multiple competencies, but the presentation of chest pain may provide the best information on the theme of urgent, emergent, time sensitive care. The undifferentiated presentation may provide the most information on the theme of management of uncertainty. And the immunisation consultation may provide the most information on the health education and health literacy theme.

During a training journey a doctors professional identity grows as they attain more competencies and expertise.^11,12 Self-reflection and review of one's own practice is also an important aspect of identifying areas of risk and improvement and would be relevant to the attainment of competencies. Registrars can use the Profile to reflect on their progress towards fellowship.

In summary the Progressive capability profile of a specialist general practitioner provides anchor points across the range of required competencies a doctor needs to develop to be a specialist GP. It can help doctors understand their progress and allow supervisors and programs to be able to understand registrars progress and facilitate appropriate supervision.