Out-of-practice education
In addition to your in-practice education, you’ll be able to access out-of-practice education, including workshops, self-directed learning, peer learning and exam preparation. Some activities are mandatory for your progression through training and others are optional.
We strongly encourage you to make the most of all the resources and opportunities to connect with your peers.
Regional workshops
Regional workshops bring registrars together from around your region for group learning. They’re run by your regional team who will determine the format and topics based on the group’s learning needs. There’ll also be the opportunity to socialise and connect with your peers. Four two-day workshops are offered during the FSP (one every six months) and attendance is optional. They’ll usually be face-to-face, so you’ll be expected to travel to these. We recommend you make the most of these learning opportunities and attend as many as possible.
Peer learning groups
You’ll also attend a monthly local peer learning group (known as a ‘teams session’) run by a local ME. In these small groups you’ll work with your peers and the ME(s) on topics from the RACGP Curriculum and syllabus. These sessions will be semi-structured and tailored to the group’s learning needs. Teams sessions run for 1.0–1.5 hours.
Participation in your peer learning group is mandatory throughout your general practice training terms.
Clinical audit
A clinical audit is a systematic review of certain aspects of clinical performance. It is a valuable quality improvement activity designed to explore areas such as:
- rational ordering of investigations (radiology/pathology):
- review the frequency of tests ordered, for example, thyroid function test in patients on long-term thyroxine replacement
- imaging in acute knee and ankle injuries, for example, what the indications are and what modalities could be used
- management/prescribing:
- how closely did you follow clinical guidelines in the management of (for example) lower back pain?
- review your prescribing as compared to current best practice
- preventive medicine activities:
- review patient records for recording of smoking status and smoking cessation advice given
- review patient records for recording of current alcohol use and alcohol cessation and reduction advice given.
In GPT1, you’ll be enrolled in the Registrars’ Clinical Encounters in Training (ReCEnT) program that will provide you with a tool to facilitate your clinical audit. On completion you’ll receive a report to discuss with your ME in GPT2, to inform your learning plans.
Event analysis
An event analysis is a way of formally analysing incidents that may have implications for patient care. It involves you identifying an incident (eg unexpected death, delayed or missed diagnosis, medical error, communication failure) and reviewing reporting guidelines and subsequent actions, including remedial activities. Your event analysis will occur in GPT1 and form part of a peer group learning session.
Evidence-based medicine activity
Critical appraisal in medicine is an important skill to ensure your practice is evidence based. In GPT3, you’ll be required to submit an evidence-based medicine activity for discussion with your ME.
Self-directed learning
During the FSP, you’ll have access to a suite of online learning resources. This includes learning strategies, case consultation examples and the RACGP Curriculum and syllabus. You’ll also have access to the gplearning online modules.
Some online learning modules will be mandatory to complete, such as the cultural awareness module, while others are optional. You’ll need to supplement the mandatory modules and out-of-practice teaching with these optional modules to ensure you cover the RACGP Curriculum and syllabus and your training plan.
Exam preparation
We provide training and support for your preparation for the Fellowship exams, including regional workshops, webinars, tutorials, peer study groups and mock exams. Your program team will provide you with the options available as you progress to the exams. There is a particular focus on exam preparation in your final FSP term.
What activities do I need to attend?
Out-of-practice teaching and peer learning groups (ie teams sessions) are mandatory (Table 2), except for workshops. Your training coordinator will let you know the dates of any mandatory out-of-practice learning activities for your region. You’ll need to communicate with your practice to ensure you can attend. If you miss a compulsory educational activity, you’ll need to discuss with your ME how you will make up the missed learning opportunity.
Table 2. Out-of-practice education requirements
|
Training term
|
In-practice education (educational supervision)
|
Regional workshops (optional)
|
Peer learning groups - 1.5 hours (mandatory)
|
Total hours (mandatory)
|
|
GPT1 and GPT2
|
10 hrs (Weeks 1 and 2)
1 hour/fortnight (total 25 hours)
|
2 x two-day workshops (total 24 hours)
|
12 sessions (total 18 hours)
|
53 hours
|
|
GPT3 and GPT4
|
1 hour/month (total 12 hours) |
2 x two-day workshops (total 24 hours)
|
12 sessions (total 18 hours)
|
30 hours
|
Continuing professional development
FSP registrars are expected to comply with the Medical Board of Australia’s continuing professional development (CPD) requirements of 50 hours per year. If you attend 80% of mandatory education activities during the education component of your program, you will automatically meet your CPD requirements for this time. As part of your RACGP and FSP membership, you’ll also have access to a range of courses and resources to meet your CPD requirements.