Introduction

Introduction

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is the largest training organisation responsible for the training and ongoing education of general practitioners (GPs) in Australia.  The RACGP Educational Framework outlines the College’s approach to education and encompasses all the essential components of learning for Australian GPs. While the Educational Framework provides the foundational principles and imperatives for all RACGP education and training, the delivery of effective training relies on a coherent and integrated system of assessment.¹ This Assessment Framework provides structure and guidance for all assessments at the RACGP; from selection, through training, Fellowship and beyond.

Purpose

The purpose of the RACGP Assessment Framework is to provide a foundation for high quality, consistent assessments that are fit for purpose. Assessment enables the RACGP to maintain standards and award Fellowship to competent general practitioners ready to serve the needs of the Australian community. 

Across all medical education, including the competency-based framework of the RACGP, effective assessment and feedback assists doctors in their ongoing professional development. Assessment aims to provide evidence of their impact on the health status of patients and communities.²

This assessment framework applies to all RACGP assessments. It is a public document that is intended to: 

• declare the principles of RACGP assessment. 
• provide a reference point for doctors, educators, supervisors, assessors, regulators and all in the Australian community with an interest in RACGP assessment.
• provide an anchor for the development, delivery and evaluation of RACGP assessment methods and approach.

In the Framework, the term candidate is used to refer to the person being assessed. The term participant includes everyone involved in the assessment, including the candidate, the person assessing them, any patients or role players involved, educators reviewing the assessment and staff involved in the design, development and delivery of assessment.