Registrar Support and Educational Interventions Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to outline the support available to assist Registrars to complete their Training Program and work towards achieving Fellowship and to provide information on Focused Learning Interventions (FLIs) and Remediation.

2. Scope

2.1 This policy applies to:

1. 1. All Registrars enrolled in the:

      1. Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program

      2. Fellowship Support Program (FSP)

   2. Registrars training towards RACGP Rural Generalist Fellowship

2.2 The RACGP provides specific support to the following Registrars to improve workforce and training equity:

1. 1. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Registrars

   2. Culturally and linguistically diverse Registrars

   3. Australian Defence Force (ADF) Registrars

   4. Rural Generalist Registrars

   5. Registrars with Identified Learning or Support Needs

2.3 This policy is to be read in conjunction with A guide to managing performance concerns in general practice registrars, the GP in Training Safety and Wellbeing Policy, the GP in Training Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy and the relevant registrar handbooks.

1. 1. If there is any inconsistency between this policy and the relevant handbook, the terms of this policy take precedence.

3. General principles

3.1 The RACGP seeks to provide individualised support to Registrars to enable growth, reflection and progress towards Fellowship.

3.2 The RACGP seeks to evaluate Registrars’ performance and progression through multiple sources and to have clear lines of communication and clear documentation to ensure accuracy and fairness.

3.3 The purpose of FLIs and Remediation are to provide timely additional educational resources to support the Registrar’s progress towards Fellowship. Registrars are not entitled to an FLI and/or Remediation. Any decision to require a Registrar to undertake an FLI or Remediation is made by the RACGP at its sole discretion on a case-by-case basis.

4. Types of registrar support

4.1 The RACGP provides support through: 

1. 1. individualised educational and training advice and planning

   2. wellbeing support

   3. Fellowship Exam support

   4. early identification of Registrars requiring additional assistance to progress through training

   5. educational interventions: FLIs and Remediation

5. Educational interventions

5.1 Focused Learning Interventions (FLIs)

1. 1. Registrars may have access to FLIs to support their development and strengthen areas for improvement that can be addressed in the normal course of training.

      1. FSP Registrars are required to cover the cost of FLIs.

5.2 Remediation

1. 1. Remediation may be available to support Registrars:

      1. who have not shown sufficient improvement despite the implementation of FLIs, or

      2. when the RACGP determines a Remediation term may support the registrar to achieve the required standard as per the Progressive capability profile of the general practitioner.

         1. FSP Registrars are required to cover the cost of Remediation.

   2. Remediation terms will pause Program Time as per the Training Program Requirements Policy.

   3. The RACGP has the discretion to place the Registrar on category 2 leave while investigating the requirements for Remediation.

   4. The RACGP has the discretion to require a Registrar to complete Remediation and may request additional information from the Registrar to inform this decision. Registrars must comply with any requests for further information for this purpose.   

   5. Remediation can be undertaken all at once or in smaller blocks, as determined by the RACGP, to a total of 26 calendar weeks.

      1. AGPT and FSP Registrars on Remediation are not eligible to sit Fellowship Exams. These Registrars can only sit the Fellowship Exams after completing Remediation.

   6. Registrars may be involuntarily withdrawn from their Training Program as per the Withdrawal Policy if:

      1. they fail or refuse to complete the agreed Remediation plan, or

      2. the Remediation has not resulted in the Registrar achieving the required standard as determined by the RACGP.

   7. Registrars who believe the RACGP has made an incorrect decision in relation to the conduct or outcome of their Remediation can apply for reconsideration as per the Dispute, Reconsideration and Appeals Policy.

6. Specific support

6.1 Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Registrars is individualised and includes:

1. 1. priority training placements

   2. training advocacy

   3. cultural support

   4. tailored supervision and practice support

   5. Fellowship Exam support as per the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander GP in Training Fellowship Exam Support Policy.

6.2 Support for culturally and linguistically diverse and international medical graduate Registrars is provided throughout their Training Program and may include:

1. 1. communication skills training

   2. an introduction to the Australian health system

6.3 Support for Australian Defence Force Registrars in the AGPT Program includes: 

1. 1. an RACGP national ADF team, to liaise with ADF services, ensure consistency and enable flexibility in the Training Program

   2. a regional team with a specific ADF portfolio to liaise with the RACGP national team and advise local teams

   3. Fellowship Exam support to find a suitable location to sit the Fellowship Exams, including remote access if needed due to ADF obligations

   4. ADF-specific support for training as outlined in the ADF guide

   5. transfers between geographical regions and training streams for ADF postings are managed internally and do not require a formal application

   6. overseas Extended Skills Training posts

   7. the opportunity to have a deployment recognised as a Special Training Environment (if approved by the relevant censor) or as category 3 leave as per the Program Leave Policy

6.4 Support for Rural Generalist Registrars includes:

1. 1. Fellowship Exam support to find a suitable location to sit the Fellowship Exams, including remote access if needed

   2. support for training as outlined in the RACGP Rural Generalist Fellowship Training Handbook

   3. curricula jointly delivered with other specialist colleges (ANZCA/Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, RANZCOG/Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and ACEM/Australasian College for Emergency Medicine)

6.5 Support for Registrars with Identified Learning or Support Needs includes:

1. 1. Fellowship exam special arrangements which can be applied for as per the Assessments Special Arrangements Policy

   2. tailored training support facilitated through early disclosure from Registrars to enable effective assistance

7. Amendment of this policy

The Censor-in-Chief (CiC) may, without the consent of the RACGP Board, make Minor, Moderate and Consequential Amendments to this policy at any time. 

If the CiC makes amendments, they must advise the RACGP Board of those amendments as soon as practicable. 

The RACGP Board may make amendments to this policy at any time.

8. Responsibilities

8.1 Censor-in-Chief	Approving minor amendments Approving moderate amendments Approving consequential amendments
8.2 National Remediation Unit	Approving applications for remediation
8.3 RACGP	Supporting registrars to progress in training Providing educational interventions Assessing the registrar for remediation terms Determining the outcome of a remediation term
8.4 RACGP Board	Approving major amendments
8.5 Registrars	Engaging with the supports available Undertaking a prescribed FLI and/or remediation

 

9. Glossary

9.1 Comprehensive Australian General Practice	As defined in the Comprehensive Australian general practice guide.
9.2 Commencement of Training	The first day on which the Registrar begins their RACGP-approved program.
9.3 Consequential Amendment	An amendment that requires urgent implementation as a necessary result of an amendment to another policy or process.
9.4 Extended Skills Training	A 26-calendar week (FTE) term undertaken to extend the depth and breadth of the registrar’s skill base in an area relevant to general practice.
9.5 Fellowship Exams	The exams run by the RACGP to assess the candidate’s competency for unsupervised general practice anywhere in Australia, including: Applied Knowledge Test (AKT), Key Feature Problem (KFP), and Clinical Competency Exam (CCE).
9.6 Focused Learning Intervention (FLI)	Targeted educational intervention, delivered during training, to address individual learning needs and performance issues.
9.7 Identified Learning or Support Needs	Areas where a registrar may benefit from additional assistance to meet program requirements or performance standards including support for learning differences, neurodiversity, sensory, cognitive or physical accessibility considerations and behaviours that may impact professional performance, etc.
9.8 Major Amendment	An amendment that materially changes the operation of the policy but is not otherwise a minor or moderate Amendment (ie a change to one major clause or policy review).
9.9 Minor Amendment	An amendment to style, to correct grammatical mistakes, change overall formatting, make updates that do not materially change meaning, or any other amendment, which in the opinion of the Censor-in-Chief, does not materially alter the operation of the policy.
9.10 Moderate Amendment	An amendment that materially changes the operation of a policy by a limited amount (ie a change to one minor clause, or changes that have a limited impact on the outcome of the policy).
9.11 Program Time	The length of time required to complete an RACGP-approved program.
9.12 RACGP ADF Team	The RACGP Australian Defence Force (ADF) team provides tailored support to ADF registrars in the AGPT program.
9.13 Registrar	A medical practitioner enrolled in the: Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program, or Fellowship Support Program (FSP).
9.14 Remediation	An approved additional term of program time in which the registrar receives further support in order to address performance concerns.
9.15 Special Training Environment (STE)	A placement offering a training opportunity with a limited case mix and different operational arrangements. Therefore, STEs do not meet accreditation standards for Australian comprehensive general practice. Registrars can be placed at an RACGP-approved STE for a maximum of six months.
9.16 Training Program	Either the: Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program, or Fellowship Support Program (FSP).

 

10. Related documents, legislation and policies

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander GP in Training Fellowship Exam Support
• ADF guide
• A guide to managing performance concerns in general practice registrars
• Dispute, Reconsideration and Appeals Policy
• FSP Registrar Handbook
• GP in Training Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy
• GP in Training Safety and Wellbeing Policy
• AGPT Registrar Training Handbook
• Program Leave Policy
• Progressive capability profile of the general practitioner
• Rural Generalist Fellowship Training Handbook
• ​Recognition of Prior Learning and Experience Policy
• Assessments Special Arrangements Policy
• ​​Training Program Requirements Policy
• Withdrawal Policy
   

11. Policy review and currency

This policy will be reviewed every three years from the last approval date, or when there is a significant change in the intent of the policy. This policy remains valid and applicable notwithstanding if it is overdue for review.